What Fish Can You Put in the Tank With an Oscar
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Oscars are bonny fish with big attitudes and large appetites, which can brand finding tank mates for them a challenge. Fish that are as well small or timid may become eaten, but fish that are as well aggressive or territorial may atomic number 82 to fights, injuries, and death. Finding the perfect tank mates for your Oscars is all well-nigh finding a frail residual. Here are some of the best tank mates y'all can choose for your Oscars.
Tabular array of contents
- 10 Best Tank Mates for Oscar Fish in 2022
- i. Bichir
- 2. Loricariidae – Virtually Compatible
- three. Silver Arowana
- iv. Silver Dollar
- v. Convict Cichlid
- 6. Firemouth Cichlid
- 7. Jack Dempsey Cichlid
- 8. Tinfoil Barb
- 9. Blackness Spotted Eel
- 10. Jaguar Cichlid
- What Makes a Skillful Tank Mate for Oscar Fish?
- Where Do Oscar Fish Prefer to Live in the Aquarium?
- Water Parameters
- Size
- Aggressive Behaviors
- Benefits of Having Tank Mates for Oscar Fish in Your Aquarium
- Conclusion
10 All-time Tank Mates for Oscar Fish in 2022
one. Bichir
| Size: | ane-2.5 feet (30.5-76 cm) |
| Nutrition: | Carnivore |
| Minimum tank size: | 55 gallon (208 liters) |
| Care Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Semi-aggressive |
Although semi-aggressive, Bichirs are large enough to not fall casualty to Oscars. They have poor vision and employ their other senses for hunting prey. This means that it is unlikely they volition mistake an Oscar every bit a meal and assault information technology. These fish do become very large, though, so they require a big enough tank that both the Bichir and the Oscar have enough space to chase and avert each other.
2. Loricariidae – Most Compatible
| Size: | 3 inches-3 feet (vii.6-91.4 cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivores |
| Minimum tank size: | 25 gallons (94.6 liters) |
| Care Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Peaceful, shy |
Loricariidae is a family of fish, also sometimes called armored catfish. There are over 600 species of Loricariidae catfish in the world, and there are dozens in the pet trade. This means that y'all tin can find a Loricariidae catfish that volition suit your Oscar tank. Loricariidae in the pet merchandise are typically sold under the Plecostomus name, and there are a ton of varieties bachelor. Choose a Loricariidae that volition go somewhat large without outgrowing your tank. Their armored scales volition protect them confronting unprovoked Oscar attacks and their peaceful, shy nature means they are content to stay out of the manner.
iii. Silver Arowana
| Size: | two-three feet (61-91.4 cm) |
| Nutrition: | Carnivore |
| Minimum tank size: | 200 gallons (757 liters) |
| Intendance Level: | Hard |
| Temperament: | Semi-ambitious |
Silver Arowanas are an attractive addition to a semi-aggressive tank. They go very large and crave extremely big environments to thrive. If keeping a Silver Arowana in an appropriate tank size, there should be no issues between it and your Oscar since they will both have plenty of space to stay out of each other's style. These fish are definitely non for beginners, though, and require an experienced fish keeper to keep them good for you and stress free.
Related Read: 10 Best Tank Mates for Arowanas
4. Silverish Dollar
| Size: | (15.2-20.3 cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivores |
| Minimum tank size: | 55 gallons (208 liters) |
| Intendance Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
Silver Dollar fish are large, flat fish that draw a lot of attention to a tank. They are peaceful, but their large size and propensity for shoaling means that they are unlikely to be attacked by Oscars. They are omnivorous, but prefer a mainly herbivorous diet, which means there will be little to no competition between Oscars and Silver Dollars for food.
5. Convict Cichlid
| Size: | 4-vi inches (10-xv.ii cm) |
| Nutrition: | Omnivores |
| Minimum tank size: | 30 gallons (114 liters) |
| Intendance Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Aggressive |
Although aggressive, Convict Cichlids are unlikely to crusade problems with your Oscars since Convict Cichlids are significantly smaller than Oscars. They are smaller, but they are not small enough to be eaten by most Oscars. Generally, Oscars and Captive Cichlids will give each other their own space. Make sure your tank is big enough to prevent assailment, though.
Related Read: Convict Cichlid Guide: How Many Can You Have In a xxx Gallon Tank?
half dozen. Firemouth Cichlid
| Size: | 5-6 inches (12.7-15.ii cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivores |
| Minimum tank size: | 30 gallons (114 liters) |
| Intendance Level: | Easy |
| Temperament: | Semi-ambitious, territorial |
Firemouth Cichlids make nifty tank mates to Oscars due to their smaller size. They can be kept in pairs or larger groups, simply they practise become territorial, especially in small-scale spaces. Ensure your Firemouth Cichlids and Oscars have plenty of space to themselves to forbid assailment problems. Firemouth Cichlids are typically too large to be eaten by Oscars.
7. Jack Dempsey Cichlid
| Size: | seven-ten inches (17.eight-25.4 cm) |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Minimum tank size: | 55 gallons (208 liters) |
| Care Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Territorial |
Jack Dempsey Cichlids are like in size and temperament to Oscars. In a large environment, both fish will typically leave each other alone. Be aware, though, that both are mainly carnivorous and may compete over food. Provide a large enough space for these large fish to comfortably coexist to avoid assailment and territorial behavior.
8. Tinfoil Barb
| Size: | 8-fourteen inches (20.3-35.6 cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Minimum tank size: | 70 gallons (265 liters) |
| Intendance Level: | Piece of cake |
| Temperament: | Laid-back |
Tinfoil Barbs are laid-dorsum fish that tin can happily and safely live in multiple types of community tanks. Don't be fooled past their relaxed nature, though. These fish can protect themselves if need be, making them groovy tank mates with Oscars. They are similar in size to Oscars, which ways they are likely to be left alone. They are mainly herbivorous and will eat rapidly, and so ensure your Oscar is getting plenty to eat.
9. Black Spotted Eel
| Size: | 20-24 inches (50.eight-61 cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivores |
| Minimum tank size: | 75 gallons (284 liters) |
| Care Level: | Medium |
| Temperament: | Peaceful, timid |
The timid Black Spotted Eel is a adept tank mate selection for your Oscar tank considering of its large size and tendency to hide. They tend to be timid and shy, but they get large, which means they are unlikely to become a target of your Oscar. Black Spotted Eels keep to themselves and are content to hide during the 24-hour interval and hunt for pocket-size prey and plant thing at night.
10. Jaguar Cichlid
| Size: | 16-24 inches (twoscore.6-61 cm) |
| Nutrition: | Carnivore |
| Minimum tank size: | 70 gallons (265 liters) |
| Care Level: | Hard |
| Temperament: | Ambitious, territorial |
Jaguar Cichlids are aggressive and territorial Cichlids, but with plenty space and their ain territory to guard, they can be good tank mates to Oscars. They get larger than almost Oscars do, which makes them unlikely to be attacked by your Oscars. If they are well fed and take plenty of space, they are unlikely to take their assailment out on your Oscar.
What Makes a Good Tank Mate for Oscar Fish?
Oscars are typically passive fish that do not go out of their fashion to be ambitious. All the same, they are known to eat smaller tank mates, which makes finding the right tank mates for them hard. Oscars are unlikely to assault fish that are their size or larger, and so other Cichlids are semi-aggressive Cichlids are often considered to be the best tank mate options. Any fish with similar water needs that is capable of defending itself if needed, or is fast enough to escape your Oscar, can make a expert tank mate.
Where Do Oscar Fish Adopt to Live in the Aquarium?
Oscar fish are usually found in the middle of the water column, which ways that fish that spend fourth dimension in the upper h2o column may be safe, just this is non a guarantee. Oscars are known to dive to the bottom of the h2o cavalcade routinely, though. They do this in search of nutrient that may have made its fashion to the bottom of the tank.
Water Parameters
These South American fish require a tropical freshwater tank setup. They are native to the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, and then they prefer a tank with a moderate to stiff h2o electric current. Their tropical nature ways they crave warm h2o, usually between 74-81˚F (23-27˚C). Ideally, their water should exist kept effectually 77-78˚F (25-25.half-dozen˚C). Cool water, even at room temperatures, tin be deadly for Oscars.
Size
Oscar fish can get quite large, with some reported to have reached 14-xviii inches in length. Most Oscars will typically accomplish 12 inches or less, though. Their large size means they require a large tank. They grow at a moderate charge per unit, sometimes as much as one inch per twelvemonth, so if yous purchase a tank for a juvenile Oscar, be prepared to upgrade to a larger tank as information technology ages.
Aggressive Behaviors
Oscars are commonly passive fish that keep to themselves in their tank surround. They do develop territories, though, and they will aggressively protect their territory, especially against other Oscars. Their aggression may peak during feeding time, so y'all may have to offer foods at various points in your tank to ensure all fish become a hazard to eat without feeling threatened or like they need to compete for food.
Benefits of Having Tank Mates for Oscar Fish in Your Aquarium
- Filling the Tank: Since Oscars spend most of their time in the middle of the water column, tank mates that spend time in the upper or lower portions of the h2o column may help fill your tank without causing any of your fish to feel crowded. Avoid overstocking an Oscar tank, though, as this can lead to territorial and ambitious behaviors.
- Cleaning the Tank : Oscars tin be messy and love to uproot plants and motion things around. Tank mates that aid keep the tank clean, similar Loricariidae catfish, tin help clean up some of the mess created past your Oscars.
- Creating an Aesthetic: Oscars are big, slow-moving fish that create a presence in your tank but don't bring a lot of activity. Tank mates of different shapes, sizes, and colors, or fast-moving, shoaling fish tin can all create an aesthetic within your tank that your Oscar fish cannot achieve alone.
Conclusion
Choosing tank mates for your Oscar fish can be disruptive and risky, but it'due south not impossible. Provide a large surroundings and cull tank mates that will be able to happily alive around your Oscars without encroaching on their territory. It is a good idea to bank check with the seller yous are purchasing tank mates from to encounter what their return policy is, just in case things aren't working out with your Oscar's new tank mates.
Provide fourth dimension for everyone to adjust to a new environment or a change environment. Be aware that new environments and changes can exist exceedingly stressful for fish, so you may see an uptick in assailment or unusual behaviors afterward the addition of new tank mates. Ensure you choose tank mates that are too large to be easily eaten past your Oscar. For instance, a Common Plecostomus is far less likely to be eaten by your Oscar than a Clown or Bristlenose Plecostomus.
Featured Image Credit: madcat13shumbrat, Shutterstock
Source: https://www.itsafishthing.com/best-tank-mates-for-oscar-fish/
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