Can oscars live with pencilfish?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pencilfish.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–81°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Pencilfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 75–82 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 15 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 pencilfish
Questions
Can oscars live with pencilfish?
No. Oscars and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What temperature suits both oscars and pencilfish?
75–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.
What size tank do oscars and pencilfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.