Can oscars live with crayfish?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and crayfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–77°F.
- pH 6.5–8 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, crayfish the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Crayfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 65–77 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6.5–8 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 5.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | One per tank |
| 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 crayfish
Questions
Can oscars live with crayfish?
No. Oscars and crayfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches crayfish do.
What temperature suits both oscars and crayfish?
74–77 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, crayfish need 65–77 °F.
What size tank do oscars and crayfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.