Can Cardinal Tetra live with Pinto Shrimp?
Light caution
Why
- Adult Pinto 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 Pinto Shrimp. Adults are usually left alone in a well-planted tank, but the odd one gets taken.
- Cardinal Tetra will eat Pinto 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 5.8–6.8 — aim there.
Side-by-side
| Cardinal Tetra | Pinto Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 68–74°F |
| pH | 5–7 | 5.8–6.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 1–6 dGH | 3–6 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 1" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 15 gal | 5 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 Cardinal Tetra, Pinto Shrimp →Everything compatible with Cardinal Tetra · …with Pinto Shrimp