Can kuhli loaches live with koi?

Verdict

No. Kuhli loaches and koi should not share a tank. Koi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); kuhli loaches need 75–86°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.

Kuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7

Koi59–77°F · pH 7–8.5

What to watch

Deal breakerKoi are coldwater animals (59–77°F); kuhli loaches need 75–86°F. They overlap only at 75–77°F, the edge of both ranges.
Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outAt 24 inches a koi can swallow a small kuhli loach. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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 loach	Koi
Temperature	75–86 °F	59–77 °F
pH	5.5–7	7–8.5
Adult size	3.5 in	24.0 in
Minimum tank	20 gal	Pond
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	All levels
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 3+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Better tank mates for koi