Can Blue Bolt Shrimp live with Cardinal Tetra?
Light caution
Why
- Adult Blue Bolt Shrimp are safe with Cardinal Tetra, but it will take newly hatched shrimplets. Give the colony a thick mat of moss and let it reach 30-50 adults before adding fish, and it will still grow — just slower.
- Cardinal Tetra is roughly twice the length of Blue Bolt Shrimp. Adults are usually left alone in a well-planted tank, but the odd one gets taken.
- Cardinal Tetra will eat Blue Bolt Shrimp shrimplets. The colony still grows if there is moss or another dense hiding place for the babies.
- Only a narrow temperature overlap — keep both around 73–74°F.
Sweet spot: both do well at 73–74°F and pH 5.8–6.6 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Blue Bolt Shrimp | Cardinal Tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–74°F | 73–81°F |
| pH | 5.8–6.6 | 5–7 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–5 dGH | 1–6 dGH |
| Adult size | 1" | 2" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 5 gal | 15 gal |
Together, plan on at least 15 gallons.
How to make it work
- Keep a large, established shrimp colony in a heavily planted tank with moss and cover so enough survive to breed.
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: A larger tank · GH remineraliser · An adjustable heater
Where to buy
- Cardinal Tetra: buy at The Shrimp Farm · The Shrimp Farm live-arrival guarantee
Live-animal shipping: add a heat pack below 50°F, expect weather holds above 90°F, and schedule delivery for a moderate week when someone can receive it promptly.
Design the whole tank, not just the stocking
Skapelab plans a complete, buildable planted aquarium around your fish — a hand-illustrated layout, the exact plants and hardscape, a placement map, and a full equipment and shopping list. Free.
Design a tank with Blue Bolt Shrimp, Cardinal Tetra →Everything compatible with Blue Bolt Shrimp · …with Cardinal Tetra