Can Otocinclus Catfish Live With Yellow Tang?
Incompatible pH. Otocinclus Catfish needs 6.0–7.5, Yellow Tang needs 8.1–8.4.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Otocinclus 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 | 2" | 8" | Size mismatch ✗ |
| Min Tank Size | 10 gal | 75 gal | 75 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus spp.
Otocinclus catfish (otos) are tiny, peaceful algae eaters that are incredibly effective at controlling soft green algae and diatoms in planted tanks. They are the gold standard for planted tank algae control, often preferred over larger plecos. However, they are somewhat delicate and require established, well-maintained aquariums.
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 →