Can oscars live with tiger barbs?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and tiger barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 6–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Tiger barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–81 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| 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 tiger barbs
Questions
Can oscars live with tiger barbs?
No. Oscars and tiger barbs should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches tiger barbs do.
What temperature suits both oscars and tiger barbs?
74–81 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, tiger barbs need 72–81 °F.
What size tank do oscars and tiger barbs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.