Can oscars live with dwarf gouramis?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and dwarf gouramis should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches dwarf gouramis do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches dwarf gouramis do.
- Watch outOscars are much bigger and pushier than dwarf gouramis, which are slow and easy to bully at feeding time.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for dwarf gouramis.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, dwarf gouramis the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Dwarf gourami | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| 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 dwarf gouramis
Questions
Can oscars live with dwarf gouramis?
No. Oscars and dwarf gouramis should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches dwarf gouramis do.
What temperature suits both oscars and dwarf gouramis?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, dwarf gouramis need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do oscars and dwarf gouramis need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.