Can guppies live with oscars?
Verdict
No
No. Guppies and oscars should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for guppies.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 6.8–7.8 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: guppies the top, oscars the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Guppy | Oscar | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 74–81 °F |
| pH | 6.8–7.8 | 6–8 |
| Adult size | 2.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 10 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Top | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 3+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for guppies
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Questions
Can guppies live with oscars?
No. Guppies and oscars should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches guppies do.
What temperature suits both guppies and oscars?
74–81 °F. Guppies need 72–82 °F, oscars need 74–81 °F.
What size tank do guppies and oscars need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.