Tank mates for hillstream loaches

Good Compatible tank mates (33)

Shared water conditions and no known conflict. Still add fish slowly and watch them.

• Bronze corydoras

  7 cm (2.8 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Cherry shrimp

  3 cm (1.2 in) · 5+ gal · groups of 10+

• Common goldfish

  30 cm (11.8 in) · 75+ gal

• Fancy goldfish

  15 cm (5.9 in) · 20+ gal

• Neon tetra

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 8+

• Panda corydoras

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+

• Zebra danio

  5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Amano shrimp

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+

• Celestial pearl danio

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 8+

• Denison barb

  13 cm (5.1 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 6+

• Dojo loach

  15 cm (5.9 in) · 75+ gal · groups of 3+

• Ghost shrimp

  4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 3+

• Malaysian trumpet snail

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal

• Mystery snail

  5 cm (2 in) · 10+ gal

• Otocinclus

  4 cm (1.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Peppered corydoras

  6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Platy

  6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+

• Ramshorn snail

  2 cm (0.8 in) · 5+ gal

• Rosy barb

  9 cm (3.5 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+

• White cloud mountain minnow

  4 cm (1.6 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 6+

• Bloodfin tetra

  5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Crystal red shrimp

  3 cm (1.2 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 10+

• Dwarf orange crayfish

  4 cm (1.6 in) · 10+ gal

• Gardneri killifish

  6 cm (2.4 in) · 10+ gal

• Giant danio

  10 cm (3.9 in) · 55+ gal · groups of 6+

• Gold barb

  7 cm (2.8 in) · 29+ gal · groups of 6+

• Odessa barb

  6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Paradise fish

  8 cm (3.1 in) · 20+ gal

• Checkerboard barb

  5 cm (2 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Glowlight danio

  3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Least killifish

  2.5 cm (1 in) · 10+ gal · groups of 6+

• Pearl danio

  6 cm (2.4 in) · 20+ gal · groups of 6+

• Variatus platy

  6 cm (2.4 in) · 15+ gal · groups of 3+

Caution Possible, with care (93)

These can work in the right setup, but there is a real risk. Read the reason first.

• Angelfish · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Angelfish is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
• Betta fish · 5+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Bristlenose pleco · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Bristlenose pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Common pleco · 150+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Common pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Dwarf gourami · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Guppy · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Nerite snail · 5+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Tiger barb · 29+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Tiger barb nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like hillstream loaches.
• African dwarf frog · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Assassin snail · 5+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Bala shark · 230+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Bala shark may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
• Black skirt tetra · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Blood parrot cichlid · 55+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Blood parrot cichlid is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
• Cardinal tetra · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Cherry barb · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Chili rasbora · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Dwarf neon rainbowfish · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Electric blue acara · 40+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Electric blue acara may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
  • Electric blue acara is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
  • Electric blue acara defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Ember tetra · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Firemouth cichlid · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Firemouth cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Glowlight tetra · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Harlequin rasbora · 15+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Honey gourami · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Julii corydoras · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Kribensis · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Kribensis defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Kuhli loach · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Molly · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Pearl gourami · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Pictus catfish · 75+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Pictus catfish may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
• Pygmy corydoras · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Rainbow shark · 75+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Rainbow shark is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
  • Rainbow shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Red-tail shark · 75+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Red-tail shark defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Rummy-nose tetra · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Siamese algae eater · 55+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Silver dollar · 75+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Sterbai corydoras · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Three spot gourami · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• X-ray tetra · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Yoyo loach · 75+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• African butterfly fish · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Bamboo shrimp · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Black neon tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Black phantom tetra · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Bleeding heart tetra · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Bolivian ram · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Bolivian ram defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Buenos Aires tetra · 29+ gal
  • Buenos Aires tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like hillstream loaches.
• Bumblebee catfish · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Clown killifish · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Clown pleco · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Cockatoo cichlid · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Cockatoo cichlid defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Congo tetra · 40+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Diamond tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Dwarf chain loach · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Emerald green corydoras · 55+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Emperor tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Endler's livebearer · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Forktail blue-eye · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Glass catfish · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Golden wonder killifish · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Head and tail light tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Kissing gourami · 75+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Kissing gourami is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
• Kubotai rasbora · 15+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Lambchop rasbora · 15+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Lemon tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Marbled hatchetfish · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Panda garra · 29+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Peacock gudgeon · 15+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Penguin tetra · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Red rainbowfish · 40+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Ropefish · 75+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Ropefish may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
• Rosy loach · 15+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Rosy tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Rubber lip pleco · 29+ gal
  • Rubber lip pleco defends its patch of the bottom and may chase hillstream loaches, which use the same area.
• Scarlet badis · 10+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Scissortail rasbora · 55+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Serpae tetra · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Serpae tetra nips fins and can stress slow, peaceful fish like hillstream loaches.
• Severum · 55+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Severum may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
  • Severum is semi-aggressive and may bully much smaller hillstream loaches.
• Sparkling gourami · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Swordtail · 29+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Thai micro crab · 5+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Threadfin rainbowfish · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Tinfoil barb · 200+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
  • Tinfoil barb may eat hillstream loaches, especially young or small ones.
• Turquoise rainbowfish · 29+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Upside-down catfish · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Vampire shrimp · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Zebra loach · 29+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Black ruby barb · 20+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Dwarf rasbora · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Flame tetra · 15+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Green neon tetra · 10+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 24–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Keyhole cichlid · 29+ gal
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Silvertip tetra · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.
• Thick-lipped gourami · 20+ gal
  • Their temperature ranges barely overlap (only around 23–24°C).
  • One is a cold-water species and the other is tropical, so neither will be at its best.

Avoid Bad tank mates (23)

• Oscar: Oscar can eat hillstream loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Boesemani rainbowfish: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), boesemani rainbowfish 26–29°C (79–84°F).
• Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
• Clown loach: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), clown loach 25–30°C (77–86°F).
• Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
• Discus: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
• Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• German blue ram: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), german blue ram 27–30°C (81–86°F).
• Jack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
• Pea puffer: Pea puffer is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches. Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
• Peacock cichlid: Peacock cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• Red zebra cichlid: Red zebra cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches. Red zebra cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir can eat hillstream loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Agassiz's dwarf cichlid: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), agassiz's dwarf cichlid 25–29°C (77–84°F).
• Black ghost knifefish: Black ghost knifefish can eat hillstream loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
• Demasoni cichlid: Demasoni cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches. Demasoni cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• Frontosa: Frontosa can eat hillstream loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown. Frontosa is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 8–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• Green terror: Green terror is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
• Jewel cichlid: Jewel cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful hillstream loaches.
• Rabbit snail: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), rabbit snail 25–29°C (77–84°F).
• Shell dweller cichlid: Shell dweller cichlid is a Lake Tanganyika cichlid. It needs a Lake Tanganyika tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–9), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Hillstream loaches don't belong in that setup.
• Zebra pleco: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), zebra pleco 26–30°C (79–86°F).
• Moonlight gourami: They need different temperatures: Hillstream loach 20–24°C (68–75°F), moonlight gourami 25–29°C (77–84°F).