Can oscars live with platies?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and platies should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for platies.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–80°F.
- pH 7–8 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Platy | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 70–80 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 7–8.2 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Middle |
| 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 platies
Questions
Can oscars live with platies?
No. Oscars and platies should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches platies do.
What temperature suits both oscars and platies?
74–80 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, platies need 70–80 °F.
What size tank do oscars and platies need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.