Can oscars live with cherry barbs?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and cherry barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
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 | Cherry barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 73–81 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 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 cherry barbs
Questions
Can oscars live with cherry barbs?
No. Oscars and cherry barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.
What temperature suits both oscars and cherry barbs?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, cherry barbs need 73–81 °F.
What size tank do oscars and cherry barbs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.