Can Cardinal Tetra Live With Celestial Pearl Danio?
Cardinal Tetra and Celestial Pearl Danio are compatible. Temperature overlap 73–78°F. Both peaceful.
Conditions: Minimum 20 gallon tank.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Cardinal Tetra | Celestial Pearl Danio | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 73–81°F | 72–78°F | 73–78°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 4.5–7 | 6.5–7.5 | 6.5–7 ✓ |
| Temperament | peaceful | peaceful | Both peaceful ✓ |
| Max Size | 2" | 1" | Similar ✓ |
| Min Tank Size | 10 gal | 10 gal | 20 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | beginner | — |
Tank Requirements for Cardinal Tetra + Celestial Pearl Danio
To keep Cardinal Tetra and Celestial Pearl Danio together, you need at minimum a 20 gallon tank. Cardinal Tetra should be kept in a school of 6+. Celestial Pearl Danio should be kept in a school of 8+. Provide adequate filtration, stable temperature with a heater, and hiding spots to reduce stress.
Species Profiles
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Cardinal tetras look similar to neon tetras but have a red stripe that extends the entire length of their body (vs only the back half in neons). They prefer softer, more acidic water and are slightly more delicate, but their deeper coloration makes them highly sought after.
Full care guide →Celestial Pearl Danio
Danio margaritatus
Celestial pearl danios (also called galaxy rasboras) are tiny, jewel-like fish discovered in Myanmar in 2006. Their dark blue body is covered in iridescent pearl-white spots, with bright orange-red fins striped with black. Despite their exotic appearance, they are hardy and easy to care for — one of the hobby's best-kept secrets for nano tanks.
Full care guide →