Can oscars live with zebra loaches?
Verdict
No
No. Oscars and zebra loaches should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches 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, zebra loaches the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Oscar | Zebra loach | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–81 °F | 73–79 °F |
| pH | 6–8 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 3.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 5+ |
| 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 loaches
Questions
Can oscars live with zebra loaches?
No. Oscars and zebra loaches should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches zebra loaches do.
What temperature suits both oscars and zebra loaches?
74–79 °F. Oscars need 74–81 °F, zebra loaches need 73–79 °F.
What size tank do oscars and zebra loaches need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.