Can oscars live with hatchetfish?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and hatchetfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–81°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, hatchetfish the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Hatchetfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 75–81 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Better tank mates for hatchetfish
Questions
Can oscars live with hatchetfish?
No. Oscars and hatchetfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
What temperature suits both oscars and hatchetfish?
75–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, hatchetfish need 75–81 °F.
What size tank do oscars and hatchetfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.