Can pea puffers live with kuhli loaches?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and kuhli loaches can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Pea puffer74–82°F · pH 7–8

Kuhli loach75–86°F · pH 5.5–7

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outPea puffers are aggressive, though kuhli loaches are big enough to shrug most of it off.

What works

Both are fine at 75–82°F.

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

	Pea puffer	Kuhli loach
Temperature	74–82 °F	75–86 °F
pH	7–8	5.5–7
Adult size	1.0 in	3.5 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Peaceful
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

CrayfishYes

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for kuhli loaches

All kuhli loach tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with kuhli loaches?

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and kuhli loaches can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

What temperature suits both pea puffers and kuhli loaches?

75–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, kuhli loaches need 75–86 °F.

What size tank do pea puffers and kuhli loaches need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the kuhli loach. Add space for each extra fish.