Can oscars live with black neon tetras?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and black neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for black neon tetras.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Black neon tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 73–81 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 15 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Better tank mates for black neon tetras
All black neon tetra tank mates
Questions
Can oscars live with black neon tetras?
No. Oscars and black neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches black neon tetras do.
What temperature suits both oscars and black neon tetras?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, black neon tetras need 73–81 °F.
What size tank do oscars and black neon tetras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.