Zebra loach care guide

Plan a tank with zebra loachesSee all tank mates

Zebra loach quick facts

• Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
• Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.

Tank setup

A group of five needs at least 30 gallons (110 L) in a tank about 4 ft (120 cm) long, because they are active swimmers that patrol the whole bottom. A shorter tank cramps the group. Use soft sand, smooth rocks, wood and plenty of caves and gaps to explore. Java fern or Anubias tied to wood gives shade. Fit a tight lid, since they can jump.

How many zebra loaches in a tank?

The smallest common tank that suits zebra loaches is a 55 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.

Water parameters

Keep it at 23–26°C (73–79°F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. It needs clean, well-oxygenated water and does best in a mature tank. Gentle to moderate flow and dim lighting help it feel safe.

Best tank mates for zebra loaches

These popular species share zebra loaches' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 76 good matches.

• Neon tetra

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Panda corydoras

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)

• Bronze corydoras

  7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)

• Zebra danio

  5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)

• African dwarf frog

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)

• Celestial pearl danio

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–25°C (68–77°F)

• Chili rasbora

  2 cm (0.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)

• Ember tetra

  2 cm (0.8 in) · 23–28°C (73–82°F)

Avoid keeping zebra loaches with

• Cherry shrimp: Zebra loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
• Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Zebra loach 23–26°C (73–79°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
• Nerite snail: Zebra loach eats snails, including nerite snails.
• Oscar: Oscar can eat zebra loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Assassin snail: Zebra loach eats snails, including assassin snails.
• Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful zebra loaches.

Feeding

A mostly meat-eating omnivore. Use sinking pellets or wafers as a base, plus frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia or mosquito larvae. Offer blanched cucumber or zucchini sometimes. It picks off small snails but won't clear a heavy infestation alone.

Behavior

Zebra loaches are peaceful and social, with a mild pecking order. Alone or in small groups they hide and can turn grumpy. They suit most community tanks, but very small, slow or long-finned fish may be harassed. Good tankmates include danios, rasboras, barbs, tetras and other peaceful botia.

Breeding

Zebra loaches have not been spawned in home aquariums, even though females sometimes look full of eggs. Mature females are plumper than males. Some fish in the trade are produced on farms using hormones.

Tips from experienced keepers

• Keep five or more. They are much bolder and more active in a group.
• Use sand or smooth fine gravel to protect their barbels.
• Not safe with dwarf shrimp or pet snails. They hunt both.
• Add them to a mature tank, not a newly cycled one.

Sources

We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.

• seriouslyfish.com
• loaches.com
• aquariumsource.com
• en.wikipedia.org