Cardinal Tetra
Cardinal Tetra is a peaceful freshwater fish that needs a tank of at least 10 gallons (38 L), water at 73-81°F (23-27°C) and a pH of 5-6.5.
Full care guide for Cardinal Tetra
Also searched as: cardinal tetra, cardinals
Quick facts
More demanding than neon tetras. Prefers soft acidic water. Schooling, keep 6+.
| Minimum tank | 10 gallons (38 L) |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 73-81°F (23-27°C) |
| pH | 5-6.5 |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swim level | Middle |
| Group size | 6 or more together |
| Tank type | Freshwater |
Good tank mates
Ranked by water overlap and temperament, using the same checks as the MyAquaLog compatibility tool.
- Chili Rasboramin tank 5 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Emperor Tetramin tank 20 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Exclamation Point Rasboramin tank 5 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Phoenix Rasboramin tank 5 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Strawberry Rasboramin tank 5 gal
Temperature overlap 73-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Green Neon Tetramin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 75-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Licorice Gouramimin tank 10 gal
Temperature overlap 73-79°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
- Coral Red Pencilfishmin tank 15 gal
Temperature overlap 75-81°F, pH overlap 5-6.5. Both species are peaceful.
Avoid with
Pairings that fail the temperament, water-overlap or known-conflict checks.
- Pea Puffermin tank 5 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; no pH overlap (5-6.5 vs 7-8).
- African Cichlids (Mbuna)min tank 55 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; no pH overlap (5-6.5 vs 7.8-8.6).
- Flowerhorn Cichlidmin tank 70 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; temperature overlap 80-81°F is too narrow; no pH overlap (5-6.5 vs 7-8).
- Tropheusmin tank 75 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish; no pH overlap (5-6.5 vs 8-9).
- Oscar Fishmin tank 55 gal
Aggressive species will harass or eat peaceful fish.
Cardinal Tetra pairing checks
One-to-one checks against other popular species, with the reasons for each verdict.
- Amano Shrimp with caution
- Angelfish with caution
- Betta Fish with caution
- Bristlenose Pleco yes
- Cherry Shrimp with caution
- Corydoras Catfish yes
- Discus no
- Dwarf Gourami with caution
- Goldfish no
- Guppy no
- Harlequin Rasbora yes
- Kuhli Loach yes
- Molly Fish no
- Mystery Snail no
- Neon Tetra yes
- Nerite Snail no
- Oscar Fish no
- Otocinclus yes
- Platy no
- Plecostomus with caution
- Rummy Nose Tetra yes
- Siamese Algae Eater yes
Check your own tank
These lists compare one species against the rest of the database. Your stock list, tank size and bioload change the answer, so log your own tank.
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