Can red tail sharks live with zebra loaches?

Verdict
Yes, with care

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

Red tail sharkRed tail shark72–79°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Zebra loachZebra loach73–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–79°Red tail shark 72–79°Zebra loach 73–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Red tail shark 6.5–7.5Zebra loach 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Red tail shark · 5 inZebra loach · 3.5 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

Red tail sharkZebra loach
Temperature72–79 °F73–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size5.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank55 gal30 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankGroups of 5+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for red tail sharks

All red tail shark tank mates

Better tank mates for zebra loaches

All zebra loach tank mates

Questions

Can red tail sharks live with zebra loaches?

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

What temperature suits both red tail sharks and zebra loaches?

73–79 °F. Red tail sharks need 72–79 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.

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

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