Can Cardinal Tetra live with Chocolate Shrimp?
Light caution
Why
- Cardinal Tetra leaves adult Chocolate Shrimp alone but eats the babies — the colony survives with plenty of cover.
- No overlapping pH: Cardinal Tetra wants 5–7 but Chocolate Shrimp wants 7.5–8.5.
- No overlapping water hardness: Cardinal Tetra wants 1–6 dGH but Chocolate Shrimp wants 8–18 dGH.
Side-by-side
| Cardinal Tetra | Chocolate Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 74–80°F |
| pH | 5–7 | 7.5–8.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 1–6 dGH | 8–18 dGH |
| Adult size | 2" | 1" |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Min tank | 15 gal | 10 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: GH remineraliser → Aquarium Co-Op
Where to buy
- Cardinal Tetra: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics live-arrival guarantee
- Chocolate Shrimp: buy at Flip Aquatics · Flip Aquatics 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.
Build a full tank around this stocking →Everything compatible with Cardinal Tetra · …with Chocolate Shrimp