In this article, I will help you choose compatible tank mates for Oscar fish.
In the world of fish keeping, picking up compatible tank mates is always a challenging task.
Oscar fish behavior is quite different and this is why you will have to take care of a few factors before choosing tank mates for this fish.
These are the most popular fish in most countries like India, The united states, China, and Australia.
Due to its availability, people often decide to buy this fish as this is affordable and mostly available most of the time.
When it comes to territorial behavior and aggressiveness, beginners fail to make the right decision while picking up the suitable tank mates for Oscar fish.
There are a few factors like similar pH, Terrestrial behavior, temperature, Size, and other various aspects that are supposed to be the same or equal to.
However, I will help you choose the best and recommend the suitable tank mates for Oscar fish.
In the next section, I will give an overview of Oscar fish tank mates.
Best and suitable Oscar fish tank mates
Catfish
Catfish can be one of the Oscar fish tank mates as they show very similar behavior.
Catfish belongs to a diverse group of ray-finned fish and this is commonly available in various parts of the world.
They are usually found in the freshwater environmental habitats. They can live anywhere from seven to fifteen years of time span.
Although, proper care and maintenance are necessary if you want the fish to live for longer.
Catfish can grow up to 1 foot depending upon their living habitat.
They are comfortable with a pH of around 7 to 8.5 which is similar to Oscar fish’s pH level. They get used to the living environment with ease.
Aquarists even say that this fish is capable of withstanding a sudden drop in pH for 2-3 units.
Although, we don’t recommend you to make a sudden change in pH because fishes feel uncomfortable and distressed.
And this behavior is one of the reasons why catfish is suitable for Oscar fish.
If you ever decide to lower pH always choose a safe and natural method.
They are comfortable with a temperature range of 74 to 78° Fahrenheit which is similar to Oscar fish and this helps you to build a comfortable environment.
Catfish is a great addition to Oscar fish as they also help your aquarium keep clean.
They are quite common and you will find them available in most of the sizes.
While buying you should consider buying a similar sized catfish as your Oscar fish to avoid conflicts due to size.
Fun fact: Some species of catfish can breathe through skin
They like eating foods like shrimp, insects, snails, algae, tiny fishes.
Feeding your catfish and Oscar fish shouldn’t be your problem as they like eating very similar types of food.
Convict cichlid
Convict cichlid is another fish that is capable to be Oscar fish tank mates.
This fish is commonly available in most fish stores. These types of fishes are mainly found in the wild habitat of Atlantic, Pacific coasts.
As per observation, the lifespan of Convict cichlids is anywhere between 8 to 10 years depending upon their living environment.
When it comes to its appearance you will find black bars on its body. Their shape is similar to that of Oscar fish and they make a great companion when you pair each other.
Convict cichlid can grow up to 5 inches when you take proper care and maintenance.
They require a temperature range of 79 to 84° F which is very similar to that of Oscar fish.
I have seen most of the people who keep Oscar fish and convict cichlid together. They are found to be comfortable with a pH of around 6.5 to 8 which is very similar to Oscar fish’s pH.
They eat a mixed diet like insects and plant, and algae type of material and this is the reason they are mainly called omnivorous.
Both the Oscar fish and Convict cichlid like to eat pellets, flakes, brine shrimp, and blood worms and this is something you should consider as a factor for picking up suitable tank mates.
Just like Oscar fishes, you will find Convict cichlid’s showing up territorial behavior. If you provide a living environment that is suitable for both convict cichlid and Oscar fish you shouldn’t find any problem.
We recommend Convict cichlid as a tank mate for Oscar fish because they are very similar to each other when it comes to behavior.
I have made a comparison between Convict cichlid and Oscar fish with factors like its behavior, living habitat, temperature, pH, their diet, and other various aspects.
I found many of the factors to be very similar to each other and this is the reason I choose convict cichlid to tank with Oscar fish.
Also, many fish keepers have tried keeping them together and found not many issues.
But keep in mind to provide a spacious tank size for both your Convict cichlid and Oscar fish.
A small tank size might angry your fishes and might lead to territorial fights between them.
Green terror
Green terror is another fish that can be a good tank mate with Oscar fish.
As the name suggests, you might think the fish looks green in color but that’s not the case.
Most of the aquarists suggest green terror as Oscar fish tank mates because they get along with ease and show similar typical behavior.
They are a very attractive type of fishes with glowing colors. Although, their behavior is very aggressive and they show up territorial nature.
As time passes they become more and more aggressive and territorial.
Just like how Oscar shows territorial behavior; even green terror has a very similar nature.
You will find them swimming mostly in the very middle of your fish tank. Females are more aggressive when compared to male green terrors.
Green terrors can be great tank mates to Oscar fish.
You will have to take care of a few things while buying them, buying similar size fish is important to provide the right balance in your fish tank.
If by any chance you pair up the larger sizes of fishes with smaller sized ones there might be a chance for the bigger sized fishes to kill the smaller ones.
They are comfortable with the water temperature in the range of 68 to 77° F which is similar to Oscar.
As per Wikipedia, they are often found to be happy at the pH of around 6.5 to 8 that makes them great tank mates with Oscar fishes.
Even the water hardness is similar to both the fishes at around 5-30dGH
Also, Read: How to Lower pH in Aquarium with vinegar?
Green terrors always try to run away from light. Hence, It is better to add low-intensity aquarium lighting.
Although, they have a lifespan of around 7 to 10 years with proper care and maintenance.
The tank size should be at least 40 gallons for a sing fish and subsequently double if you add them in a pair.
As similar to Convict cichlid they are omnivorous in nature meaning they can eat both plants and other insects.
When made a companion with Oscar fish, your fish tank will undoubtedly look beautiful due to their appearance.
Both of these fishes love to hide in places like caves and rocks. However, try avoiding large gravel as green terror might swallow them causing disfunction of their organs.
If you are planning to pair convict cichlid as Oscar fish tank mates then you can pair without a second thought.
Firemouth Cichlid
Firemouth cichlid is a peaceful fish and this is something Oscar fish likes to be with.
You will find Firemouth cichlid widely spread throughout the central part of America and North America.
When you talk about their appearance they look bright and red-colored that suits Oscar fish and makes your tank look attractive
They are also territorial in nature just like Oscar fish.
You will find them aggressive with other fishes during spawning. Although they are peaceful at other times.
We recommend a tank size of at least 15 to 17 gallons for each Firemouth cichlid depending upon their numbers.
Firemouth cichlids get along with Oscar fish and as well as catfish making them a perfect tank mate.
They prefer a mixed diet that mainly includes vegetables like spinach, spirulina, and meat food like shrimps, bloodworms, etc.
If your fish belongs omnivorous It is always recommended to feed your fishes a mixed diet.
A mixed diet provides various types of nutrition value to fish that leads them to grow quicker than usual.
If you are planning to make Firemouth cichlid as a tank mate for Oscar fish then, you can feed foods like pellets, flakes, feeder fishes, and even frozen food.
They are comfortable with a water temperature of around 75 to 86° F So you shouldn’t find any difficulty pairing them with Oscars.
When it comes to pH level they get themselves adapted in a pH of 6.5 to 8.
If you are fairly beginner in fish keeping then you should consider getting this fish as this would perfectly help fit in for you.
Firemouth cichlids are commonly available in various parts of the world.
While breeding, females are more aggressive than males towards other species of fishes.
They like spending their time in places like caves, planets and rocks make sure you don’t forget to add these kinds of stuff.
They also eat shrimps and snails and this is something you should be careful of.
Due to this reason, I don’t recommend you to add snails with Firemouth cichlids.
Firemouth cichlid is a peaceful, colorful, and suitable tank mate for Oscar fish.
Both of these fishes are comfortable with a similar living environment.
Hence, you shouldn’t find any difficulty pairing Firemouth cichlids with Oscar fishes.
Silver Dollar fish
Silver dollar fishes are peaceful and can be a good tank mate for Oscar fish.
They belong to a Characidae family and have a lifespan of around 10 years with proper care and maintenance.
Silver dollar fish eats a similar diet to Oscar fish.
They are Omnivorous in nature meaning they eat both plants and meat food.
When fully grown they are somewhere around 6 inches in size.
You will find them available online for a cheaper price or at your nearest pet store.
The silver shiny skin on its body looks very attractive making them an adorable tank mate.
During feeding time they are quite aggressive with other fishes and are found to be chasing other fellow tank mates.
Most of the time you will find them swimming in the very middle of the fish tank.
During their wild habitat, they usually eat plants. However, they are capable of eating shrimps and other forms of meat.
But, they prefer an herbivorous diet over a carnivorous one.
Consider getting at least a 75-gallon tank size for 5 of them. However, the tank size should be depending upon the number of fishes you are willing to add.
Silver dollar fishes even get along with catfish as well as Oscar fish; making them perfect and suitable tank mates for your fish tank.
The list includes green terror as well because it has a very similar living habitat.
If you are willing to make Silver dollar fish as a tank mate for Oscar fish you should get them all in similar sizes to avoid any conflicts with themselves.
Aquarists have observed that larger fishes often fright the smaller ones or even end up eating them.
This is the reason you should buy them in similar sizes.
A healthy living environment, a clean tank, and proper maintenance should be taken care of to keep them healthy and free from diseases.
You can maintain a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 with water hardness around 4- 8 dGH. Although, their living habitat shouldn’t be a problem as they are very similar to Oscar.
Electric Blue acara
Blue acara is another fish that is suitable with Oscar fish as tank mates.
It belongs to a Cichlidae family and a very peaceful fish that can get along with most of the other fishes too.
When properly cared for and maintained they can live up to 10 years.
When fully grown they are usually 7 inches in size depending upon their sex.
Keeping and maintaining a blue acara is quite easy and comfortable.
Even a fairly beginner can manage to keep this fish with ease. They are freshwater fishes and like planted aquariums.
These are very calm and will rarely make any trouble with other fishes. In the wild conditions, they can live up to 20 years.
Most of the fish keepers love this fish as it is very peaceful, attractive, and easy to maintain.
However, they like to explore new things and In the wild, you will mostly find them digging under the substrate.
As the name suggests, they clearly look electrifying. Blue acara also has a very unique color pattern on its body making them stand out from other fishes.
They are comfortable with a pH of around 6.0 to 7.5 and a temperature range of around 70- 80° F.
An optimum water hardness would be 6-20 DH.
Always have a larger tank size that helps to avoid distress to your fish. People have found that keeping blue acara in a smaller tank size will lead to digestive problems making them uncomfortable.
A mixed diet is a healthy diet try feeding various types of food. By doing this you are making sure that the fish is getting all different types of nutritional value.
In my opinion, Blue acara is a great tank mate with Oscar fish for freshers in the world of Aquatic pets. You should go ahead without a second thought.
Concluding Thoughts
Choosing suitable tank mates is very important especially in the case of Oscar fish.
Often, Beginners usually make this mistake and they realize it later.
When you are choosing a tank mate; It is necessary to consider all the various factors like the pH, temperature range, Hardness of water, and some other factors like the type of aquarium, Lighting conditions, etc.
It is considered to be a good tank mate only when their living habitat requirement meets with each other. This way you are making both the fishes meet their requirement without compromise.
I have Included Oscar’s fish tank mate’s pictures to help you understand the fish you should be looking for at the pet store.
Remember to buy a similar size of fishes to avoid any competition with each other.
What is your opinion about this? Share your opinions in the comment section below.
