Aquariumloach · freshwater
Weather Loach: adult size, tank size & tankmates
The Weather Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) grows to about 13 in (28 cm SL). It needs a tank at least 47 inches long and about 64 gallons. Keep at least 3 together, at 64–74°F.
How big it really gets
Drawn to scale against common tank lengths. Green bars meet the minimum tank length from our sources.
Outgrows most home tanks. Sold as a small tropical community loach but reaches 28 cm SL, needs a 120 cm (47 in) tank and cooler water.
Will it fit your tank?
Quick facts
- Adult size
- 13 in (28 cm SL)
- Minimum tank
- 47 inches long and about 64 gallons
- Temperature
- 64–74°F
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness
- 1–12 dGH
- Group size
- 3+
- With other fish
- peaceful
- With its own kind
- peaceful
- Swims
- bottom of the tank
- Diet
- omnivore
- Care level
- beginner
- Lifespan
- not stated in sources
Watch for: eats small fish · eats shrimp · eats snails · jumps, so keep a lid
Weather Loach tankmates
Checked with the same rules as our tank builder: temperature overlap, pH and hardness, predation and mouth size, fin-nipping and temperament. Tank size is left out here; check it in the builder.
Good tankmates
- Neon TetraAdult ~1.4 in · 70–77°F
- Harlequin RasboraAdult ~2.1 in · 70–82°F
- Ember TetraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Chili RasboraAdult ~0.9 in · 68–82°F
- Celestial Pearl DanioAdult ~1 in · 68–79°F
- Cherry BarbAdult ~2.4 in · 68–81°F
- Lemon TetraAdult ~1.9 in · 68–82°F
- GuppyAdult ~2.8 in · 63–82°F
- PlatyAdult ~2.4 in · 68–79°F
- Honey GouramiAdult ~2.6 in · 72–81°F
Use caution
- Cardinal TetraWeather Loach and Cardinal Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
- Rummy-nose TetraWeather Loach and Rummy-nose Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
- Black Neon TetraWeather Loach and Black Neon Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
- MollyNeeds careWeather Loach (1–12 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness.
- African Dwarf FrogWeather Loach and African Dwarf Frog only share 74–74°F. That's a tight window.
- Clown PlecoWeather Loach and Clown Pleco only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
- Congo TetraWeather Loach and Congo Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
- Lambchop RasboraWeather Loach and Lambchop Rasbora only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window.
Avoid
- Glowlight TetraWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Glowlight Tetra (75–82°F) need different temperatures.
- Endler's LivebearerNeeds careWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Endler's Livebearer (75–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Pearl GouramiWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Pearl Gourami (75–86°F) need different temperatures.
- German Blue RamNeeds careWeather Loach (64–74°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Bolivian RamWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Bolivian Ram (75–82°F) need different temperatures.
- KribensisWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Kribensis (75–81°F) need different temperatures.
- AngelfishNeeds careWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Angelfish (75–86°F) need different temperatures.
- Sterbai CoryWeather Loach (64–74°F) and Sterbai Cory (75–82°F) need different temperatures.
All 105 species we checked against the Weather Loach
| Species | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bala Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Betta | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Black Skirt Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bleeding Heart Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bristlenose Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bronze Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Buenos Aires Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Bumblebee Goby | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Celestial Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cherry Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Chili Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Clown Killifish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common / Comet Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Common Pleco | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Denison Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Electric Blue Acara | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Ember Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Fancy Goldfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Firemouth Cichlid | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Giant Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Glass Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Gold Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Guppy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Harlequin Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Hillstream Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Honey Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Iridescent Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Julii Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kissing Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Kuhli Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Lemon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Marbled Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Neon Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Odessa Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Oscar | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Otocinclus | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Panda Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Paradise Fish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pea Puffer | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pearl Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Penguin Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Peppered Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pictus Catfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Platy | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pristella Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Pygmy Cory | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rainbow Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Red-Tail Shark | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Rosy Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Scissortail Rasbora | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Serpae Tetra | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Siamese Algae Eater | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Silver Hatchetfish | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Sparkling Gourami | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Swordtail | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tiger Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Tinfoil Barb | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| White Cloud Mountain Minnow | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Yoyo Loach | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| Zebra Danio | Compatible | No conflicts found |
| African Dwarf Frog | Caution | Weather Loach and African Dwarf Frog only share 74–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Black Neon Tetra | Caution | Weather Loach and Black Neon Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Cardinal Tetra | Caution | Weather Loach and Cardinal Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Clown Pleco | Caution | Weather Loach and Clown Pleco only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Congo Tetra | Caution | Weather Loach and Congo Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Lambchop Rasbora | Caution | Weather Loach and Lambchop Rasbora only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Molly | Caution | Weather Loach (1–12 dGH) and Molly (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Rummy-nose Tetra | Caution | Weather Loach and Rummy-nose Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Silver Tip Tetra | Caution | Weather Loach and Silver Tip Tetra only share 73–74°F. That's a tight window. |
| Variatus Platy | Caution | Weather Loach (1–12 dGH) and Variatus Platy (14–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Amano Shrimp | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Amano Shrimp. |
| Angelfish | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Angelfish (75–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Assassin Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Assassin Snail (75–80°F) need different temperatures.; Weather Loach eats snails, including Assassin Snail. |
| Bamboo Shrimp | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Bamboo Shrimp. |
| Blood Parrot Cichlid | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Blood Parrot Cichlid (76–80°F) need different temperatures. |
| Boesemani Rainbowfish | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Boesemani Rainbowfish (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Bolivian Ram | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Bolivian Ram (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Cherry Shrimp | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Cherry Shrimp. |
| Chinese Algae Eater | Avoid | Chinese Algae Eater is aggressive toward tankmates. Weather Loach is peaceful. |
| Clown Loach | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Clown Loach (75–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Convict Cichlid | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Convict Cichlid (75–82°F) need different temperatures.; Convict Cichlid is aggressive toward tankmates. Weather Loach is peaceful. |
| Crystal Red Shrimp | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Crystal Red Shrimp. |
| Diamond Tetra | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Diamond Tetra (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Discus | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Discus (79–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Electric Yellow Lab | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Electric Yellow Lab (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Endler's Livebearer | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Endler's Livebearer (75–86°F) need different temperatures.; Weather Loach (1–12 dGH) and Endler's Livebearer (15–35 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| Forktail Blue-eye | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Forktail Blue-eye (75–82°F) need different temperatures.; Weather Loach (1–12 dGH) and Forktail Blue-eye (15–30 dGH) prefer different water hardness. |
| German Blue Ram | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and German Blue Ram (81–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Ghost Shrimp | Avoid | Weather Loach will eat Ghost Shrimp. |
| Glowlight Tetra | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Glowlight Tetra (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Head-and-tail-light Tetra | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Head-and-tail-light Tetra (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Japanese Trapdoor Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Japanese Trapdoor Snail. |
| Kribensis | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Kribensis (75–81°F) need different temperatures. |
| Malaysian Trumpet Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Malaysian Trumpet Snail. |
| Moonlight Gourami | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Moonlight Gourami (77–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Mystery Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Mystery Snail.; Weather Loach (pH 6–8) and Mystery Snail (pH unknown) prefer different pH. |
| Nerite Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Nerite Snail. |
| Pearl Gourami | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Pearl Gourami (75–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Ramshorn Snail | Avoid | Weather Loach eats snails, including Ramshorn Snail. |
| Sterbai Cory | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Sterbai Cory (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
| Three-spot Gourami | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Three-spot Gourami (75–86°F) need different temperatures. |
| Upside-down Catfish | Avoid | Weather Loach (64–74°F) and Upside-down Catfish (75–82°F) need different temperatures. |
Care notes
Needs: Not tropical: SF recommends 17.8-23.3 C (64-74 F); soft sand or fine gravel to bury in; tight lid (jumps); can be drawn into filter intakes when small; invasive if released
Group: SF: can be kept singly but more at ease/active with conspecifics; FKW: prefers groups of 3+ (used as conservative minimum)
Temperament: peaceful toward other fish, peaceful toward its own kind. Lives in the bottom of the tank.
Common questions
How big does a Weather Loach get?
About 13 inches (28 cm SL) as an adult, according to seriouslyfish.com.
What size tank does a Weather Loach need?
At least 47 inches long and about 64 gallons. The smallest standard tank that meets that is a 75 gallon.
How many Weather Loachs should be kept together?
At least 3. SF: can be kept singly but more at ease/active with conspecifics; FKW: prefers groups of 3+ (used as conservative minimum)
What fish can live with a Weather Loach?
Species that passed every check include Neon Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Ember Tetra, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb.
Gear for a Weather Loach setup
TankSmallest standard tank that meets its minimum: 75 gallon (48 in long).Find on Amazon →HeaterAbout 2 × 200 W for 75 gallons, holding 64–74°F.Find on Amazon →SandSoft sand protects barbels and lets it sift.Find on Amazon →LidIt jumps. A full lid keeps it in the tank.Find on Amazon →FoodSinking food reaches the bottom before tankmates grab it.Find on Amazon →
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Related guides
Sources
Values come from these pages, in our own words. Status: researched from source pages. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.
- seriouslyfish.com /species/misgurnus-anguillicaudatus/
- fishbase.se /summary/Misgurnus-anguillicaudatus.html
- fishkeepingworld.com /dojo-loach/