Species › Tetras

Cardinal tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm (1.4 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F) and pH 4.0–6.0.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

3.5 cm (1.4 in)

Temperature

23–27 °C (73–81 °F)

pH

pH 4.0–6.0

Group

10 or more

Cardinal tetra minimum tank size

Cardinal tetras need at least 54 L (14 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 3.5 cm (1.4 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (14 cm (5.5 in)).

Cardinal tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against cardinal tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (12)

• Black neon tetra
• Clown loach
• Discus
• Ember tetra
• Glass catfish
• Harlequin rasbora
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Serpae tetra

With care (16)

• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by bronze corydoras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• German blue ramThe only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by German blue rams and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by glowlight tetras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Panda corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by panda corydoras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by pearl gouramis and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by cardinal tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Tiger barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by tiger barbs and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Yoyo loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by yoyo loaches and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Zebra danioThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by zebra danios and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (24)

• AngelfishAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• BettaBettas need pH 6.8–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as cardinal tetras, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 27 °C (81 °F), set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos need pH 6.5–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios need pH 6.5–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cherry shrimpCherry shrimp need pH 6.5–8.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Cardinal tetras (3.5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cardinal tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need pH 7.0–8.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GoldfishCardinal tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GuppyGuppies need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Nerite snailNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cardinal tetras grow to 3.5 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by oscars and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishCardinal tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by paradise fish and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Red tail sharkRed tail sharks need pH 6.5–7.5; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Rosy barbCardinal tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by rosy barbs and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterSiamese algae eaters need pH 6.5–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• SwordtailSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowCardinal tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by white cloud mountain minnows and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

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