Can oscars live with neon tetras?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for neon tetras.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–79°F.
- pH 6–7 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Neon tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–79 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 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 neon tetras
Questions
Can oscars live with neon tetras?
No. Oscars and neon tetras should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches neon tetras do.
What temperature suits both oscars and neon tetras?
74–79 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, neon tetras need 72–79 °F.
What size tank do oscars and neon tetras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.