Can oscars live with zebra danios?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and zebra danios should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches zebra danios do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches zebra danios do.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for zebra danios.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–77°F.
- pH 6.5–8 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: oscars the mid, zebra danios the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Zebra danio | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 65–77 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6.5–8 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| 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 zebra danios
Questions
Can oscars live with zebra danios?
No. Oscars and zebra danios should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches zebra danios do.
What temperature suits both oscars and zebra danios?
74–77 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, zebra danios need 65–77 °F.
What size tank do oscars and zebra danios need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.