Can cardinal tetras live with gold barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Cardinal tetras and gold barbs should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Cardinal tetras need 76–84°F, gold barbs need 64–75°F.

Cardinal tetraCardinal tetra76–84°F · pH 4.6–7 Gold barbGold barb64–75°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Cardinal tetra 76–84°Gold barb 64–75°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 6–7Cardinal tetra 4.6–7Gold barb 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Cardinal tetra · 2 inGold barb · 3 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Cardinal tetraGold barb
Temperature76–84 °F64–75 °F
pH4.6–76–8
Adult size2.0 in3.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal20 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atMiddleMiddle
GroupGroups of 6+Groups of 6+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for cardinal tetras

All cardinal tetra tank mates

Better tank mates for gold barbs

All gold barb tank mates

Questions

Can cardinal tetras live with gold barbs?

No. Cardinal tetras and gold barbs should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Cardinal tetras need 76–84°F, gold barbs need 64–75°F.

What temperature suits both cardinal tetras and gold barbs?

None. Cardinal tetras need 76–84 °F and gold barbs need 64–75 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do cardinal tetras and gold barbs need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the cardinal tetra. Add space for each extra fish.