Compatibility Report
GuideMyTank compatibility analysis for Cardinal Tetra and Cherry Barb.
Planning verdict
compatibleThis pair is a reasonable starting point when both species receive their required tank size, group size, water conditions, and routine care.
No automatic safety blocker was found.
No additional conditional requirements were identified.
Cardinal Tetra and Cherry Barb receive a recommended verdict from the current structured assessment. Cardinal Tetra is recorded as peaceful with an aggression level of 1/10; Cherry Barb is recorded as peaceful with an aggression level of 1/10. The recommendation is based on the combined water, space, behavior, grouping, and predation checks below rather than on species names alone.
Cardinal Tetra has a recorded temperature range of 73–84°F and pH range of 5–7. Cherry Barb is recorded at 72–80°F and pH 6–7.5. Their shared planning window is 73–80°F for temperature and 6–7 for pH. A shared aquarium must stay inside the overlap rather than merely touching each species’ outer tolerance.
Cardinal Tetra sets the larger listed base aquarium requirement at 20 gallons; the other listed minimum is 15 gallons. Cardinal Tetra is the larger adult by the recorded maximum, reaching 2 inches, compared with 2 inches. These figures are starting constraints, not a stocking-capacity calculation, because the complete group sizes and bioload still matter.
Cardinal Tetra is a calm species associated with the mid zone and moderate flow. Cherry Barb is active, uses the mid zone, and has a moderate flow preference. Cardinal Tetra should be planned as a group of at least 8, while cherry barb should be planned as a group of at least 6. The aquarium must support both social structures without forcing either species into insufficient space.
Cardinal Tetra is recorded as a omnivore with intermediate care, while Cherry Barb is a omnivore with easy care. Their listed preferred tank styles are blackwater and planted. Feeding access, cover, open swimming room, filtration, and observation should be planned around the more demanding requirement rather than averaged between the two species.
Use these pair-specific boundaries before treating the verdict as an acceptable stocking plan.
This pair is a reasonable starting point when both species receive their required tank size, group size, water conditions, and routine care.
These references support the underlying species records used by this assessment. They do not necessarily evaluate this exact pair together.
Continue with the most relevant care and compatibility resources for Cardinal Tetra and Cherry Barb.