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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Cardinal Tetra live with Corydoras Catfish?

Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

peaceful~5cm
Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras spp. (page covers the common trade group)

peaceful~6cm
VerdictGOOD

Often a workable match in a suitable, well-run tank. Still verify behaviour in your setup.

Classic community staple pairing. One honest caveat: 'Corydoras' in shops spans many species with different temperature bands — confirm which cory you are buying, then this pairing is as safe as community fishkeeping gets.

Compatibility score

100/100

Profile confidence: medium

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

60L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 60L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C23–26°C shared
Cardinal TetraCorydoras CatfishShared window
pH
Range6–7 shared
Cardinal TetraCorydoras CatfishShared window

Assessment details

  1. Known compatible pairing

    Classic community staple pairing. One honest caveat: 'Corydoras' in shops spans many species with different temperature bands — confirm which cory you are buying, then this pairing is as safe as community fishkeeping gets.

  2. Compatible temperaments

    Both Cardinal Tetra and Corydoras Catfish share a peaceful temperament.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

  4. Data or identification limits

    Top issue

    At least one fish has common trade or ID ambiguity, so the numbers here may not match the individual in the shop.

“At least one fish has common trade or ID ambiguity, so the…”

Data or identification limits

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • •Cardinal Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
  • •Corydoras Catfish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Cardinal Tetra + Corydoras Catfish

Compare another pairOpen tank builder

Plan further

Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree. At least one species here has common trade-name ambiguity.

Full tank-mate guides

Related pair checks

Other tank mates for Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetra + Corydoras Catfish — common questions

Can Cardinal Tetra live with Corydoras Catfish?
Usually, yes. The pairing resolves GOOD in Fishori's checks for a tank of about 60 litres or more with the shared water windows shown on this page. Individual fish still vary, so watch the first weeks closely.
What tank size do you need for Cardinal Tetra and Corydoras Catfish together?
Plan around 60 litres as the working minimum. That figure comes from each species' published minimum and their group needs, and it assumes adult sizes, not shop sizes.
What's the main risk?
Data or identification limits. That is the first thing to plan around. The matching entry under assessment details on this page explains the reasoning and the numbers behind it.
What should you check before buying?
Cardinal Tetra should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour. Corydoras Catfish should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.