Can oscars live with gold barbs?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and gold barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches gold barbs do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches gold barbs do.
- Watch outThey only share 74–75°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What works
- pH 6–8 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Gold barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 64–75 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–8 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 3.0 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 gold barbs
Questions
Can oscars live with gold barbs?
No. Oscars and gold barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches gold barbs do.
What temperature suits both oscars and gold barbs?
74–75 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, gold barbs need 64–75 °F.
What size tank do oscars and gold barbs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.