Can hillstream loaches live with zebra plecos?

Verdict
No

No. Hillstream loaches and zebra plecos should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Hillstream loaches need 68–75°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.

Hillstream loachHillstream loach68–75°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Zebra plecoZebra pleco79–88°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Hillstream loach 68–75°Zebra pleco 79–88°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Hillstream loach 6.5–7.5Zebra pleco 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Hillstream loach · 2.5 inZebra pleco · 3.5 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Hillstream loachZebra pleco
Temperature68–75 °F79–88 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size2.5 in3.5 in
Minimum tank20 gal30 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupGroups of 3+Alone or in pairs
DietHerbivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for hillstream loaches

All hillstream loach tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra plecos

All zebra pleco tank mates

Questions

Can hillstream loaches live with zebra plecos?

No. Hillstream loaches and zebra plecos should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Hillstream loaches need 68–75°F, zebra plecos need 79–88°F.

What temperature suits both hillstream loaches and zebra plecos?

None. Hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F and zebra plecos need 79–88 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do hillstream loaches and zebra plecos need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the zebra pleco. Add space for each extra fish.