Zebra loach care
Water temperature
73–79°F
Zebra loaches do best at 73–79°F and pH 6–7.5. Plan on 30 gallons or more. Good tank mates include bettas, angelfish, tiger barbs.
Small, peaceful botia that clears snails.
Botia striata
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Minimum tank
- 30 gal
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Group
- Groups of 5+
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Swims at
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
Best tank mates
BettaYes
AngelfishYes
Tiger barbYes
GuppyYes
Honey gouramiYes
Congo tetraYes
Paradise fishYes
Neon tetraYes
Cherry barbYes
CorydorasYes
Odessa barbYes
Black skirt tetraYes
Full zebra loach tank mate chart: 64 yes, 14 with care, 20 no
Zebra loach water compared
Fish to keep away from zebra loaches
- Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.
- Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
- Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
- Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
- Cherry shrimp A zebra loach is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
- Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
- Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra loaches.
- Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
More loaches
Questions
What temperature do zebra loaches need?
73–79 °F. Keep it steady with a heater.
What size tank does a zebra loach need?
At least 30 gallons for a group. Adults reach about 3.5 inches.
How many zebra loaches should I keep?
Groups of 5+. They are schooling fish and stress when kept alone.
What fish can live with zebra loaches?
Bettas, Angelfish, Tiger barbs, Guppies, Honey gouramis, Congo tetras, among others. See the full list of 64 good matches.