Compatibility Report
GuideMyTank compatibility analysis for Cardinal Tetra and Swordtail.
Planning verdict
cautionOnly plan this pair if every listed condition can be met, and have a separation plan if stress or aggression appears.
No automatic safety blocker was found.
Cardinal Tetra and Swordtail receive a conditional verdict from the current structured assessment. Cardinal Tetra is recorded as peaceful with an aggression level of 1/10; Swordtail is recorded as peaceful with an aggression level of 2/10. 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. Swordtail is recorded at 72–82°F and pH 6.5–8. Their shared planning window is 73–82°F for temperature and 6.5–7 for pH. A shared aquarium must stay inside the overlap rather than merely touching each species’ outer tolerance.
Swordtail sets the larger listed base aquarium requirement at 30 gallons; the other listed minimum is 20 gallons. Swordtail is the larger adult by the recorded maximum, reaching 5.5 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. Swordtail is active, uses the top zone, and has a moderate flow preference. Cardinal Tetra should be planned as a group of at least 8, while swordtail should be planned as a group of at least 4. 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 Swordtail 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.
Only plan this pair if every listed condition can be met, and have a separation plan if stress or aggression appears.
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 Swordtail.