Sign in

Oscar tank mates

Oscars are large, messy predatory cichlids. Their tank mates must be big, robust and able to live in a tank with a very strong filter.

Each species is checked against oscars both ways: mouth size, fin nipping, temperament, territory, water overlap and keeper reports.

Good tank mates

  1. Common pleco

    Pterygoplichthys pardalis
    Fits

    The classic store 'algae eater' that grows to nearly two feet, fouls the water and eats less algae with age; a fish for very large tanks only.

    22.8 in · 203+ gal · 77–82°F · pH 7–7.5

  2. Severum

    Heros severus / Heros efasciatus
    Fits

    A calm, large South American cichlid often kept with angelfish and catfish; eats soft plants and any fish that fits in its mouth.

    7.9 in · 76+ gal · 72–84°F · pH 5.5–6.5

  3. Kissing gourami

    Helostoma temminckii
    Fits

    The famous kissing fish grows to about 10 inches and can live over 20 years; its kisses are really contests for dominance.

    9.8 in · 95+ gal · 72–86°F · pH 6–8

  4. Senegal bichir

    Polypterus senegalus
    Fits

    An ancient air-breathing 'dragon fish' that can live over 30 years, grows to nearly 20 inches and swallows anything that fits in its mouth.

    19.7 in · 168+ gal · 75–82°F · pH 6.2–7.8

  5. Banded archerfish

    Toxotes jaculatrix
    Fits

    The sniper fish that knocks insects down with a jet of water; a 12-inch brackish species that needs a group and air space above the water.

    11.8 in · 135+ gal · 77–86°F · pH 7.5–8

Risky

  1. Blood parrot cichlid

    hybrid
    With care

    Oscar can eat young or small Blood parrot cichlid; adults are big enough to be safe.

    7.9 in · 36+ gal · 72–82°F · pH 6.5–8

  2. Blue dolphin cichlid

    Cyrtocara moorii
    With care

    Oscar (predatory) will bully the peaceful Blue dolphin cichlid.

    9.8 in · 80+ gal · 77–81°F · pH 8–8.5

  3. Chinese algae eater

    Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
    With care

    Two territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 15750 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².

    11 in · 95+ gal · 72–79°F · pH 6–8

  4. Clown loach

    Chromobotia macracanthus
    With care

    Oscar (predatory) will bully the peaceful Clown loach.

    15.7 in · 202+ gal · 75–86°F · pH 5–7

  5. Leopard sailfin pleco

    Pterygoplichthys gibbiceps
    With care

    Oscar (predatory) will bully the peaceful Leopard sailfin pleco.

    19.7 in · 187+ gal · 77–86°F · pH 5–7

  6. Peacock cichlid

    Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
    With care

    Oscar can eat young or small Malawi butterfly peacock; adults are big enough to be safe.

    6.7 in · 135+ gal · 77–84°F · pH 7.5–9

  7. Assassin snail

    Anentome helena
    With care

    Oscar eats snails: Assassin snail.

    1 in · 3+ gal · 70–81°F · pH 7.2–8

  8. Bladder snail

    Physella acuta
    With care

    Oscar (predatory) will bully the peaceful Bladder snail.

    0.6 in · 1+ gal · 63–84°F · pH 7–8

  9. Malaysian trumpet snail

    Melanoides tuberculata
    With care

    Oscar (predatory) will bully the peaceful Malaysian trumpet snail.

    1 in · 2+ gal · 64–77°F · pH 7–8.5

  10. Mystery snail

    Pomacea diffusa
    With care

    Oscar eats snails: Mystery snail.

    2.2 in · 7+ gal · 68–82°F · pH 7–8

  11. Ramshorn snail

    Planorbarius corneus
    With care

    Oscar eats snails: Great ramshorn snail.

    1.4 in · 4+ gal · 70–81°F · pH 7–8

  12. Red swamp crayfish

    Procambarus clarkii
    With care

    Oscar eats crayfish: Red swamp crayfish.

    3.9 in · 25+ gal · 68–79°F · pH 7–8.5

And 17 more in the species catalog.

Avoid

  1. Neon tetra

    Paracheirodon innesi
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Neon tetra: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.2 in · 17+ gal · 70–77°F · pH 5–7

  2. Harlequin rasbora

    Trigonostigma heteromorpha
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Harlequin rasbora: prey body depth 1.1 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.4 in · 17+ gal · 73–81°F · pH 6–7

  3. Fancy guppy

    Poecilia reticulata
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Fancy guppy: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.4 in · 13+ gal · 75–81°F · pH 7–8

  4. Panda corydoras

    Corydoras panda
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Panda corydoras: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.6 in · 17+ gal · 72–77°F · pH 6–7.2

  5. Otocinclus

    Otocinclus vittatus
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Otocinclus: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.4 in · 17+ gal · 72–79°F · pH 6–7.2

  6. Cherry shrimp

    Neocaridina davidi
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Cherry shrimp: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.6 in · 4+ gal · 72–75°F · pH 6.5–7.8

  7. Betta

    Betta splendens
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Betta: prey body depth 2.1 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    2.8 in · 11+ gal · 72–86°F · pH 6–7.5

  8. Angelfish

    Pterophyllum scalare
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Angelfish: prey body depth 9.0 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    3.5 in · 32+ gal · 77–84°F · pH 6–7

  9. Tiger barb

    Puntigrus tetrazona
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Tiger barb: prey body depth 2.5 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    2.2 in · 32+ gal · 72–79°F · pH 6–7.5

  10. Amano shrimp

    Caridina multidentata
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Amano shrimp: prey body depth 1.0 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    2 in · 7+ gal · 72–77°F · pH 6.5–7.5

  11. Black neon tetra

    Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Black neon tetra: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    1.4 in · 23+ gal · 73–81°F · pH 5.5–7.5

  12. Black widow tetra

    Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
    Avoid

    Oscar can eat Black widow tetra: prey body depth 2.4 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.

    2.4 in · 22+ gal · 68–79°F · pH 6–7

And 103 more in the species catalog.

Questions

What fish can live with an oscar?

Only large, sturdy fish: other big South American cichlids, plecos and large catfish, in 125 gallons or more.

Every tank is different. Set yours up once (size, water, who already lives there) and each species is checked against it.

Plan my tank

Related guides