Can oscars live with upside down catfish?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and upside down catfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish 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, upside down catfish the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Upside down catfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 72–79 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 4.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| 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 upside down catfish
All upside down catfish tank mates
Questions
Can oscars live with upside down catfish?
No. Oscars and upside down catfish should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches upside down catfish do.
What temperature suits both oscars and upside down catfish?
74–79 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, upside down catfish need 72–79 °F.
What size tank do oscars and upside down catfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.