Can Congo Tetra Live With Yellow Tang?
Incompatible pH. Congo Tetra needs 6.0–7.5, Yellow Tang needs 8.1–8.4.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Congo Tetra | Yellow Tang | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–82°F | 75–82°F | 75–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6–7.5 | 8.1–8.4 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi-aggressive | Monitor ⚠ |
| Max Size | 3.5" | 8" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 30 gal | 75 gal | 75 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
Congo tetras are the showstoppers of the tetra family. Males develop spectacular flowing fins with an iridescent rainbow sheen that shifts from blue to gold to green under aquarium lighting. They are larger than most tetras (up to 3.5 inches) and need a spacious, well-planted tank to display their full beauty. Peaceful but shy — they thrive with calm tank mates.
Full care guide →Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
The yellow tang is the most iconic reef tank fish — a solid lemon-yellow disc that constantly grazes algae across the rock work. They are active, hardy, and excellent algae controllers for reef tanks. However, they need large tanks (75+ gallons minimum), can be aggressive toward similar-shaped fish, and have become significantly more expensive following collection bans in Hawaii.
Full care guide →