Can kuhli loaches live with peacock cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Kuhli loaches and peacock cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: kuhli loaches want pH 5.5–7, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

Kuhli loachKuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7 Peacock cichlidPeacock cichlid76–82°F · pH 7.8–8.6

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 76–82°Kuhli loach 75–86°Peacock cichlid 76–82°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Kuhli loach 5.5–7Peacock cichlid 7.8–8.6
No pH suits both. One would live in the wrong water all the time.

Size to scale

Kuhli loach · 3.5 inPeacock cichlid · 6 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

Kuhli loachPeacock cichlid
Temperature75–86 °F76–82 °F
pH5.5–77.8–8.6
Adult size3.5 in6.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 4+
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Better tank mates for peacock cichlids

All peacock cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can kuhli loaches live with peacock cichlids?

No. Kuhli loaches and peacock cichlids should not share a tank. Different water: kuhli loaches want pH 5.5–7, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

What temperature suits both kuhli loaches and peacock cichlids?

76–82 °F. Kuhli loaches need 75–86 °F, peacock cichlids need 76–82 °F.

What size tank do kuhli loaches and peacock cichlids need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the peacock cichlid. Add space for each extra fish.