[2][3] It lives in tropical climate with temperature range of 21–26 °C (70–79 °F), and prefers water with 6.0 to 7.5 pH.

[2] Zebra loaches are peaceful fish suitable to community aquarium tanks.

According to the IUCN, the zebra loach is currently endangered in the wild due to habitat alteration combined with a small native range.

[1] Aquarists interested in keeping zebra loach specimens are strongly advised to investigate the source of locally available fishes, and to only purchase those known to be captive-bred.

Home aquarium breeding is unknown, but the species is bred on a commercial basis with the use of hormones.