Zebra loach tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for zebra loaches are bettas, angelfish and tiger barbs. Each match shares zebra loaches' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Small, peaceful botia that clears snails.

Temperature: 73–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 30 gal
With care: 14
Avoid: 20

How each group of fish does with zebra loaches. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive, though zebra loaches are big enough to shrug most of it off.
Bala shark Bala sharks grow to 13 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for zebra loaches.
Red tail shark Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Tinfoil barb Tinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for zebra loaches.
Amano shrimp Zebra loaches will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Rainbow shark Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small zebra loach. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Bamboo shrimp Zebra loaches will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast zebra loaches will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for zebra loaches.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6, zebra loaches want pH 6–7.5.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid Different water: peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, zebra loaches want pH 6–7.5.

Avoid

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.
Mystery snail Zebra loaches hunt snails, so mystery snails will be eaten.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, zebra loaches need 73–79°F.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Ghost shrimp A zebra loach is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful zebra loaches.
Nerite snail Zebra loaches hunt snails, so nerite snails will be eaten.
Ramshorn snail Zebra loaches hunt snails, so ramshorn snails will be eaten.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, zebra loaches need 73–79°F.
Assassin snail Zebra loaches hunt snails, so assassin snails will be eaten.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, zebra loaches need 73–79°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the zebra loach care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for zebra loaches?

Bettas, Angelfish, Tiger barbs, Guppies, Honey gouramis. They share zebra loaches' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with zebra loaches?

Axolotls, Oscars, Goldfish, Jack dempseys, Cherry shrimp. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); zebra loaches need 73–79°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.