Can oscars live with bristlenose plecos?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
What 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, bristlenose plecos the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Bristlenose pleco | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 73–81 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 5.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Herbivore |
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Better tank mates for bristlenose plecos
All bristlenose pleco tank mates
Questions
Can oscars live with bristlenose plecos?
No. Oscars and bristlenose plecos should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches bristlenose plecos do.
What temperature suits both oscars and bristlenose plecos?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, bristlenose plecos need 73–81 °F.
What size tank do oscars and bristlenose plecos need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.