Species · Paracheirodon axelrodi

Cardinal tetra: tank size, water and tank mates

Mostly wild-caught; warmer, softer water than neon.

Adult size3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Minimum tank20 US gal
Temperature23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
pH4.6–6
Temperamentpeaceful
Keep in groups of8+
Swimsmid
Shrimp & snailsUsually safe

Check a tank with Cardinal tetra

Good tank mates for Cardinal tetra

These species share its temperature range and temperament, with no fin-nipping or predation risk under our rules. Still check your tank size and bioload in the checker.

Amano shrimp · Banjo catfish · Black neon tetra · Black phantom tetra · Black ruby barb · Bleeding heart tetra · Bloodfin tetra · Bronze corydoras · Checkerboard barb · Cherry barb · Chili rasbora · Clown killifish · Colombian tetra · Congo tetra · Crystal red shrimp · Diamond tetra · Dwarf pencilfish · Ember tetra · Emperor tetra · Gardneri killifish · Glowlight tetra · Golden pencilfish · Green neon tetra · Habrosus corydoras

Avoid with Cardinal tetra

African butterflyfish (predation) · Banded archerfish (predation) · Black ghost knifefish (predation) · Blue acara (predation) · Common / comet goldfish (temperature) · Convict cichlid (predation) · Demasoni cichlid (aggression) · Discus (temperature) · Fancy goldfish (temperature) · Jack Dempsey (predation) · Jewel cichlid (predation) · Medaka (temperature) · Oscar (predation) · Paradise fish (temperature) · Pea puffer (aggression) · Pictus catfish (predation) · Rosy barb (temperature) · Senegal bichir (predation)

Sources

Checked 2026-11-09 · confidence: medium. These are cautious community guidelines, not guarantees. Not veterinary advice. Report an error.