Can Corydoras Catfish Live With Yellow Tang?
Incompatible pH. Corydoras Catfish needs 6.0–7.5, Yellow Tang needs 8.1–8.4.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Corydoras Catfish | Yellow Tang | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–79°F | 75–82°F | 75–79°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6–7.5 | 8.1–8.4 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi-aggressive | Monitor ⚠ |
| Max Size | 3" | 8" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 10 gal | 75 gal | 75 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | beginner | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
Corydoras Catfish
Corydoras spp.
Corydoras catfish are beloved bottom-dwelling community fish known for their adorable whiskered faces and playful schooling behavior. With over 160 described species, corys come in many varieties including bronze, albino, panda, pygmy, and sterbai. They are peaceful, hardy, and help keep the substrate clean.
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 →