Can kuhli loaches live with red tail sharks?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Kuhli loaches and red tail sharks can share a tank, but watch one thing. Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

Kuhli loachKuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7 Red tail sharkRed tail shark72–79°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 75–79°Kuhli loach 75–86°Red tail shark 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7Kuhli loach 5.5–7Red tail shark 6.5–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Kuhli loach · 3.5 inRed tail shark · 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

Kuhli loachRed tail shark
Temperature75–86 °F72–79 °F
pH5.5–76.5–7.5
Adult size3.5 in5.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal55 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupGroups of 6+One per tank
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Better tank mates for red tail sharks

All red tail shark tank mates

Questions

Can kuhli loaches live with red tail sharks?

Yes, with care. Kuhli loaches and red tail sharks can share a tank, but watch one thing. Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

What temperature suits both kuhli loaches and red tail sharks?

75–79 °F. Kuhli loaches need 75–86 °F, red tail sharks need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do kuhli loaches and red tail sharks need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the red tail shark. Add space for each extra fish.