If you love aquariums, chances are you’ve considered keeping an Oscar fish. These vibrant and intelligent freshwater fish are among the most popular choices for home tanks. However, their aggressive nature makes finding suitable tankmates a challenge. So, what fish can safely coexist with Oscars? Let’s explore the best options.
Some of the most common fish that can lie with Oscars include Silver Dollars, Plecos, Severum cichlids, Jack Dempseys, and loaches. You should always avoid smaller fish, fin-nipping fish, and shy fish with Oscars. Oscras are poor in community living. They can bully or even eat the smaller tankmates.
Oscar Fish – An Introduction
Before you can decide on the best tankmates for Oscras, it would be practical to check out the behavioural patterns of the Oscars. In fact, Oscars are the most popular among freshwater fish and are considered to be water puppies. Scientifically known as Astronotus ocellatus, Oscars belong to the larger fish varieties belonging to the genre of South American Cichlids.
Why Tank Size and Temperament Matter With Oscars?
Oscars belong to the species of large cichlids. They can reach up to 12 inches and produce a lot of waste. You will need to have a strong filtration system just for them. Many aquarists on Reddit talk about the territorial nature of the Oscars, where a crowded or undersized tank makes aggression and territorial fights much more likely, even between species that are technically “compatible” on paper.
The temperament is another factor that can limit the number and types of tankmates you can add to a tank with Oscars. The right companions should be the ones that are bold enough to handle the aggressiveness of the Oscra, yet are not hyper-aggressive to harm it. We recommend the tankmates with similar water‑parameter needs, such as soft, slightly acidic to neutral water and tropical temperatures.
Best Oscar Tankmates – A Possible List
| Fish Name | Scientific Name | Size (inches) | Origin | Diet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Dollar | Metynnis argenteus | Up to 6 | South America | Omnivore |
| Green Terror | Aequidens rivulatus | Up to 8 | Central America | Carnivore |
| Pleco (Common) | Hypostomus plecostomus | Up to 18 | South America | Herbivore |
| Jack Dempsey | Cichlasoma octofasciatum | Up to 12 | Central America | Omnivore |
| Clown Loach | Botia macracantha | Up to 6 | Southeast Asia | Omnivore (Scavenger) |
| Giant Gourami | Osphronemus goramy | Up to 24 | Southeast Asia | Herbivore |
Even when Oscars do not have the tankmates precisely in the word’s proper sense, you can try out with the following species.
1. Silver Dollars
In contrast to Oscars, Silver Dollars are peaceful fish. However, they can grow to a huge size—up to six inches long. That would mean keeping more of these fish may not be the right option in a small tank.
Silver Dollars tend to be very active fish. Of course, they can live in small tanks, but if given a larger tank, they can thrive to their fullest. The size and agility of these fish make them the right pick for an Oscar tank. In fact, Silver Dollars are known to mellow your Oscar in certain cases. A Reddit user vouches for the ability of the Silver Dollar to control the aggressiveness of the Oscars.
2. Green Terror
The green terror cichlid has similar needs and size to an Oscar fish. Their similar behaviour would make the two avoid bullying. However, make sure that the Green Terror you choose to keep in an Oscar tank is the same size as the Oscar. Juvenile Green Terror are found to be eaten away by the Oscars.
In fact, Green Terror should be an excellent fish genre for an Oscar tank. The temperament and behaviour of the two match, and that can even make them get along really well—or at least help them stay away from each other.
3. Jack Dempsey Fish
Jack Dempsey is yet another fish that belongs to the category of cichlids. These can be big fish with a fierce personality. You can choose from a huge range of Jack Dempsey fish in different colours. If you are wondering if Jack Dempsey can live with the Oscars, many expert aquarists vouch for the fact.
Jack Dempsey is aggressive and thus can be a match for the Oscars. Since they are of the same size, they get a good opportunity with equal territories. Once again, just like in the case of Green Terror, choose Oscar and Jack Dempsey to be of the same size.
4. Giant Gourami
Of course, a Giant Gourami is not very common, but it can be a great pick for a tank with the Oscars. Giant Gouramis can grow to 2 feet in length and suit the aggressiveness of the Oscars.
They tend to be relatively peaceful but can become more aggressive as they grow older. However, the Gouramis’ otherwise calm behaviour can be an asset, as it can also calm down the Oscars.
5. Clown Loaches
Clown Loaches can grow to a foot in size, making them the right tankmates for an Oscar tank. They are also known to be very demanding, which is exactly what makes them the right tankmates for the Oscars.
Crown Loaches are known to be semi-aggressive and territorial. They defend their place at the bottom of the tank.
6. Pleco
The common Pleco or the sucker fish is an excellent tankmate for Oscar fish. They can grow to be up to 20 inches long and can live a long life. The monster size of these fish keeps the Oscars at bay and stays peaceful.
Suckeers can cling to the vertical walls of the aquarium, but they tend to dwell at the bottom on the substrate most of the time. This will ensure that they do not interfere with the Oscar fish swimming above. Suckeers can also help you keep the tank clean by cleaning up the food that has been left out.
Tank Mates You Should Avoid With Oscars
You should altogether avoid the small fish such as guppies, tetras, and small barbs. Your Oscar can see them as prey. Slow, long‑fin fish like fancy goldfish, angelfish, or bettas also make poor companions, because their flowing fins invite nipping. Moreover, they may not be able to match the speed and appetite of the Oscars.
Very timid or stress‑prone species should also be avoided. Fish that spend all day hiding behind decor and refuse to eat in the presence of a large cichlid are not truly compatible, even if they are not being physically attacked. If you frequently see torn fins, missing scales, or a single fish being chased endlessly, that is a sign the stocking plan needs to change, not just the decor layout.
The Closing Thoughts
Oscars are typically not comfortable with any tankmates. However, if you are adventurous enough and want to experiment, you can try out a few combinations. We assume that the list of the best fish that can live as Oscar fish should give you a good idea. Keep a watch when you add a new fish to an Oscar tank and remove them immediately if you notice any aggression.
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