Oscar vs Flowerhorn
Two big personality cichlids — which one is yours?
Our verdict
Want a puppy-like wet pet on a budget? The oscar is one of the easiest big cichlids there is. Want that spectacular nuchal hump and vivid colour — and can give a boisterous fish a tank of its own? The flowerhorn is a showpiece.
Common questions
Can an oscar and a flowerhorn live together?
No. Flowerhorns are genuinely aggressive and will harass or injure an oscar in most setups. Both species do best as the single centrepiece fish of their own 75-gallon-plus tank.
Which is more aggressive, an oscar or a flowerhorn?
The flowerhorn, clearly. Oscars are semi-aggressive — territorial but usually manageable with robust tankmates. Flowerhorns were bred for attitude and treat almost any tankmate as an intruder.
What tank size do oscars and flowerhorns need?
Both need a 75-gallon aquarium as a minimum. Oscars reach about 14 inches and flowerhorns about 16, so bigger is always better — plus strong filtration, because both are messy eaters.