Can pea puffers live with oscars?
Verdict
No
No. Pea puffers and oscars should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
- Watch outPea puffers are aggressive. Oscars hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
- Watch outOscars grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pea puffers.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–81°F.
- pH 7–8 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Pea puffer | Oscar | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–82 °F | 74–81 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 6–8 |
| Adult size | 1.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 5 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | All levels | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for pea puffers
Better tank mates for oscars
Common plecoYes
Clown loachYes
Black ghost knifeYes
BichirYes
Elephant nose fishYes
Chinese algae eaterYes
Questions
Can pea puffers live with oscars?
No. Pea puffers and oscars should not share a tank. An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
What temperature suits both pea puffers and oscars?
74–81 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, oscars need 74–81 °F.
What size tank do pea puffers and oscars need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the oscar. Add space for each extra fish.