Can oscars live with otocinclus?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and otocinclus should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–79°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, otocinclus the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Otocinclus | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–79 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Herbivore |
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Better tank mates for otocinclus
Questions
Can oscars live with otocinclus?
No. Oscars and otocinclus should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
What temperature suits both oscars and otocinclus?
74–79 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, otocinclus need 72–79 °F.
What size tank do oscars and otocinclus need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.