Can oscars live with bichirs?
Verdict
Yes
Yes. Oscars and bichirs make a good pair. Both are fine at 74–81°F. Plan on at least 75 gal.
Why it works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, bichirs the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Bichir | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Firemouth cichlidYes
Better tank mates for bichirs
Bala sharkYes
Kissing gouramiYes
Electric blue acaraYes
Tinfoil barbYes- Common plecoYes
- Black ghost knifeYes
Questions
Can oscars live with bichirs?
Yes. Oscars and bichirs make a good pair. Both are fine at 74–81°F. Plan on at least 75 gal.
What temperature suits both oscars and bichirs?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do oscars and bichirs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.