Can oscars live with red tail sharks?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and red tail sharks should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches red tail sharks do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches red tail sharks do.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–79°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, red tail sharks the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Red tail shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–79 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 5.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | One per tank |
| 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 red tail sharks
Questions
Can oscars live with red tail sharks?
No. Oscars and red tail sharks should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 5 inches red tail sharks do.
What temperature suits both oscars and red tail sharks?
74–79 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, red tail sharks need 72–79 °F.
What size tank do oscars and red tail sharks need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.