Can Cardinal Tetra live with Guppy?
Caution — with care
Why
- No overlapping water hardness: Cardinal Tetra wants 1–6 dGH but Guppy wants 8–20 dGH.
- Only a narrow pH overlap — keep both around 6.8–7.
Sweet spot: both do well at 73–81°F and pH 6.8–7 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Cardinal Tetra | Guppy | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 72–82°F |
| pH | 5–7 | 6.8–7.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 1–6 dGH | 8–20 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 2" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 15 gal | 10 gal |
Together, plan on at least 15 gallons.
How to make it work
- Target the overlapping water-parameter range and acclimate slowly.
Sort it with: GH remineraliser
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 Cardinal Tetra, Guppy →Everything compatible with Cardinal Tetra · …with Guppy