Compatibility brief
Can Oscar live with Tiger Barb?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
How we decideFishori checks adult size and predation risk, behaviour, water requirements and tank needs before giving a verdict.
300L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 300L (larger active fish often want more length).
Oscar (about 35cm as an adult) can realistically eat Tiger Barb (about 7cm) once grown. Plan around adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Temperament gap (aggressive vs semi-aggressive) adds stress on top of the hard incompatibility — space and cover do not make this pairing safe.
Assessment details
Temperament difference
Oscar is aggressive, while Tiger Barb is semi-aggressive. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.
Oscar may eat Tiger Barb
Top issueOscar (35cm) is predatory and Tiger Barb (7cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“Oscar (35cm) is predatory and Tiger Barb (7cm) is small…”
Oscar may eat Tiger Barb
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Tiger Barb can escape if harassed.
- •Tiger Barb should be kept in a group of at least 8 for best health and behaviour.
- •Oscar reaches ~35cm: tank length and turning room matter more than the litre number. A tall, short tank of the same volume is not equivalent.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- Seriously Fish. Astronotus ocellatus
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Astronotus ocellatus
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Astronotus ocellatus
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
- Wikipedia. Astronotus ocellatus (oscar)
Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.
- Seriously Fish. Puntigrus tetrazona
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Puntigrus tetrazona
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Puntigrus tetrazona
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with Oscar + Tiger Barb
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.