Can Jack Dempsey Cichlid Live With Yellow Tang?
Incompatible pH. Jack Dempsey Cichlid needs 6.5–8.0, Yellow Tang needs 8.1–8.4.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Jack Dempsey Cichlid | Yellow Tang | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–86°F | 75–82°F | 75–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 6.5–8 | 8.1–8.4 | No overlap ✗ |
| Temperament | aggressive | semi-aggressive | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 10" | 8" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 55 gal | 75 gal | 75 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Carnivore | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Rocio octofasciata
Named after the legendary boxer, Jack Dempsey cichlids are large, territorial Central American cichlids with iridescent blue-green spangles across their dark body. They are aggressive, intelligent, and interactive — many owners report them coming to the glass to greet them. The electric blue Jack Dempsey variant is significantly less aggressive and more colorful.
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 →