Can oscars live with mollies?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and mollies should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches mollies do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches mollies do.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 7.5–8 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, mollies the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Molly | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 7.5–8.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 4.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 3+ |
| 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 mollies
Questions
Can oscars live with mollies?
No. Oscars and mollies should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches mollies do.
What temperature suits both oscars and mollies?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, mollies need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do oscars and mollies need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.