Kuhli loach Tank Mates

Short answer: the best kuhli loach tank mates are Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora. Kuhli loaches need 70–79 °F (21–26 °C), pH 3.5–7 and at least 20 gallons. Keep them in a group of 5 or more.

Pangio kuhlii · rated against 71 species · check your own combination

Kuhli loach care at a glance

Adult size	3.9 in (10 cm)
Minimum tank	20 US gallons
Temperature	70–79 °F (21–26 °C)
pH	3.5–7
Temperament	Peaceful
Swims in	Bottom
Group size	Groups of 5+
Care level	Easy

Sources: Seriously Fish · FishBase. Last reviewed 2026-11-04.

Only show tank mates that fit my gallon tank

✅ Compatible tank mates (52)

Cherry shrimp (min 5 gal)
Betta fish (min 10 gal)
Dwarf gourami (min 10 gal)
Guppy (min 10 gal)
Bristlenose pleco (min 20 gal)
Harlequin rasbora (min 20 gal)
Molly (min 20 gal)
Neon tetra (min 20 gal)
Platy (min 20 gal)
Tiger barb (min 30 gal)
Angelfish (min 55 gal)
Nerite snail (min 5 gal)
Amano shrimp (min 10 gal)
Celestial pearl danio (min 10 gal)
Chili rasbora (min 10 gal)
Ember tetra (min 10 gal)
Endler's livebearer (min 10 gal)
Otocinclus (min 10 gal)
Panda cory (min 10 gal)
Black skirt tetra (min 20 gal)
Bronze cory (min 20 gal)
Cardinal tetra (min 20 gal)
Cherry barb (min 20 gal)
Glowlight tetra (min 20 gal)
Honey gourami (min 20 gal)
Rummy nose tetra (min 20 gal)
Serpae tetra (min 20 gal)
Zebra danio (min 20 gal)
Pearl gourami (min 30 gal)
Swordtail (min 30 gal)
Three spot gourami (min 35 gal)
Siamese algae eater (min 75 gal)
Common pleco (min 125 gal)
Clown loach (min 180 gal)
Pygmy cory (min 10 gal)
Sparkling gourami (min 10 gal)
Black neon tetra (min 20 gal)
Bloodfin tetra (min 20 gal)
Dwarf neon rainbowfish (min 20 gal)
Forktail blue-eye (min 20 gal)
Glass catfish (min 20 gal)
Lemon tetra (min 20 gal)
Peppered cory (min 20 gal)
Sterbai cory (min 20 gal)
X-ray tetra (min 20 gal)
Buenos Aires tetra (min 30 gal)
Congo tetra (min 30 gal)
Gold barb (min 30 gal)
Odessa barb (min 30 gal)
Rosy barb (min 30 gal)
Upside-down catfish (min 30 gal)
Bolivian ram (min 55 gal)

⚠️ Possible with caution (9)

Fancy goldfish (min 20 gal) — Goldfish are coldwater fish that produce a lot of waste; they are usually kept only with other goldfish.
Mystery snail (min 10 gal) — pH preferences don't overlap (Kuhli loach 3.5–7, Mystery snail 7.2–8.5). Captive-bred fish often adapt, but one of them will be outside its comfort zone.
Kribensis (min 30 gal) — Kribensis defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
Rainbow shark (min 75 gal) — Rainbow shark defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
Red tail shark (min 75 gal) — Red tail shark defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid (min 20 gal) — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
Firemouth cichlid (min 40 gal) — Firemouth cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
Chinese algae eater (min 75 gal) — Chinese algae eater is a much larger territorial fish and may bully kuhli loach.
Bala shark (min 250 gal) — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) may try to eat smaller kuhli loach (10 cm), especially at night.

❌ Not recommended (10)

Oscar (min 180 gal) — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat kuhli loach (10 cm).
Pea puffer (min 5 gal) — Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully peaceful kuhli loach.
German blue ram (min 20 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: German blue ram 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Kuhli loach 21–26 °C (70–79 °F).
White cloud mountain minnow (min 20 gal) — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Kuhli loach 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) vs White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F).
Electric yellow cichlid (min 55 gal) — Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid: it needs hard, alkaline water and an African-cichlid community, and is too boisterous for kuhli loach.
Discus (min 75 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: Discus 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) vs Kuhli loach 21–26 °C (70–79 °F).
Paradise fish (min 20 gal) — Paradise fish is aggressive and will bully peaceful kuhli loach.
Convict cichlid (min 30 gal) — Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully peaceful kuhli loach.
Boesemani rainbowfish (min 55 gal) — No comfortable shared temperature: Boesemani rainbowfish 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) vs Kuhli loach 21–26 °C (70–79 °F).
Jack Dempsey (min 75 gal) — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat kuhli loach (10 cm).

How many kuhli loaches per tank?

20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.

FAQ

What fish can live with kuhli loaches?

Good matches include Cherry shrimp, Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasbora. They share a temperature range with kuhli loaches (70–79 °F (21–26 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.

What fish should not live with kuhli loaches?

Avoid Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, White cloud mountain minnow, Electric yellow cichlid, Discus.

What size tank do kuhli loaches need?

We recommend at least 20 US gallons for a group of 5 kuhli loaches, more if you add tank mates.

Can kuhli loaches live alone?

No. Kuhli loaches are social and should be kept in groups of at least 5.

Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.