Angelfish and Oscar Cichlid: can they live together?

Verdict:not recommended

  • Behaviour: not recommended
  • Water: the shared range is very narrow

Why

The oscar is a predator up to 35 cm, twice as large as the angelfish, and needs a tank of at least 500 l. The shared temperature is only a narrow band of 24–25 °C, so keeping them together is not recommended.

Water and size

Water and size
ParameterAngelfishOscar CichlidShared range
Temperature24 – 28 °C (75 – 82 °F)22 – 25 °C (72 – 77 °F)
24 – 25 °C (75 – 77 °F) the shared range is very narrow
Water pH6 – 76 – 8
6 – 7 ranges overlap
Water dH5 – 105 – 19
5 – 10 ranges overlap
Size in aquarium15 cm (5.9 in)35 cm (14 in)
Required aquarium volumefrom 200 L (53 gal)from 500 L (132 gal)
KeepingSchooling (usually from 5–6 individuals and more)Pair (male/female)
TemperamentSemi-peaceful (dangerous to smaller ones)Predator, but semi-peaceful (gets along with large ones)
Swimming levelmiddle levelmiddle level

This is a general estimate: fish of the same species differ in character. Tank volume is given for each species separately — two species together need at least the larger of the two, and usually more.

Other pairs with these fish