CheckMyFishTankZebra Loach care
Botia striata · Freshwater · Intermediate level care
A striped, active loach that likes company.
Feeding
Twice a day. One or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes. Sinking pellets, frozen foods, snails.
Nips the fins of slow fish with long fins.
Eats shrimp and snails.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Zebra Loach in a 80 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Zebra Loach.
- White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Zebra Loach need different water temperatures.
- German Blue Ram: German Blue Ram and Zebra Loach need different water temperatures.
- Discus: Discus and Zebra Loach need different water temperatures.
- Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Zebra Loach.
- Green Terror: Green Terror grows big enough to eat Zebra Loach.
- Demasoni Cichlid: Demasoni Cichlid fight their own kind. Keep only one per tank.
- Frontosa: Frontosa grows big enough to eat Zebra Loach.
Questions
What size tank does a Zebra Loach need?
At least 40 gallons for a group of 5. Adults grow to about 4 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Zebra Loach like?
75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Zebra Loach should I keep together?
Keep 5 or more. They feel safe in a group and show better color and behavior.
What do Zebra Loach eat?
Sinking pellets, frozen foods, snails. Feed twice a day: one or two sinking pellets or wafers per fish, eaten within a few minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.