Species Profile
Zebra Loach
Botia striata
Loachespeaceful
Adult size
3.5″
Minimum tank
30 gal
Temperature
73–79°F
pH
6–7.5
Schooling
Group of 5+
Water level
bottom
Grows from juvenile
Typically sold at ~1.5″ and reaches 3.5″ over ~1 year. Plan tank size for the adult, not the fish at purchase.Diet
Sinking pellets, frozen, snails
Notes
Among the most peaceful Botia loaches. Yellow-and-black zebra striping, active during the day unlike many bottom-dwellers. Eats pest snails. Group of 5+ to prevent stress; lone individuals hide constantly.
Compatible Tankmates
Best tank mates for Zebra Loach
Every species below passes the compatibility engine when paired with Zebra Loachin a suitably sized tank. Verdicts come from the same rules the builder uses — click a card to see that species' own care profile and its tank mates in turn.
Neon Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Cardinal Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Rummynose Tetra
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Harlequin Rasbora
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Zebra Danio
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Fancy Guppy
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Platy
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Molly
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Swordtail
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Dwarf Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Honey Gourami
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Bolivian Ram
ExcellentPeaceful pairing — temperament, water parameters, and size all line up.
Photo: Lerdsuwa / Wikimedia Commons · Source · CC-BY-SA-3.0