Tankmate compatibility

What fish are compatible with Oscar Cichlid?

Oscar Cichlid compatibility guide. 6 compatible tankmates + 5 species to avoid + temperament + size + water-chemistry guidance.

Compatible tankmates (6)

Silver dollars

Fast schooling fish, too big for adult oscars to eat. Schools of 6+.

Convict cichlids

Tough enough to handle oscars. Similar habits.

Severum

Larger peaceful cichlid, comparable size to oscars.

Common pleco

Big armored algae eater. Larger plecos are oscar-proof.

Jack Dempsey

Aggressive enough to coexist; needs equally large tank.

Green terror

Aggressive cichlid, similar water + size requirements.

Avoid these tankmates (5)

Anything under 4 inches

Adult oscars eat anything that fits in their mouth. They have big mouths.

Small tetras + rasboras

Become oscar food.

Guppies + livebearers

Eaten immediately.

Small bottom dwellers (corydoras)

Eaten when they leave hiding.

Other oscars (in pairs)

Pairs work, but unpaired oscars kill each other. Better singles or established bonded pairs.

Plan your stocking

Use the stocking calculator to verify your specific plan. Browse stocking ideas by tank size for proven setups, or read the Oscar Cichlid care guide for full husbandry details.

More compatibility guides

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