Can kuhli loaches live with bichirs?

Verdict
No

No. Kuhli loaches and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches kuhli loaches do.

Kuhli loachKuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7 BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–82°Kuhli loach 75–86°Bichir 72–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7Kuhli loach 5.5–7Bichir 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Kuhli loach · 3.5 inBichir · 12 in0"2"4"6"8"10"12"
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

Kuhli loachBichir
Temperature75–86 °F72–82 °F
pH5.5–76.5–7.5
Adult size3.5 in12.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal75 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupGroups of 6+Alone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Questions

Can kuhli loaches live with bichirs?

No. Kuhli loaches and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches kuhli loaches do.

What temperature suits both kuhli loaches and bichirs?

75–82 °F. Kuhli loaches need 75–86 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do kuhli loaches and bichirs need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.