Can oscars live with rams?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and rams should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
- Watch outThey only share 80–81°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What works
- pH 6–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, rams the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | German blue ram | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 80–86 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 5–7 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| 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 rams
All german blue ram tank mates
Questions
Can oscars live with rams?
No. Oscars and rams should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches rams do.
What temperature suits both oscars and rams?
80–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, rams need 80–86 °F.
What size tank do oscars and rams need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.