Can ghost shrimp live with cardinal tetras?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Ghost shrimp and cardinal tetras can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Ghost shrimp65–82°F · pH 7–8

Cardinal tetra76–84°F · pH 4.6–7

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outCardinal tetras will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give ghost shrimp somewhere to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 76–82°F.
They use different parts of the tank: ghost shrimp the bottom, cardinal tetras the mid.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Ghost shrimp	Cardinal tetra
Temperature	65–82 °F	76–84 °F
pH	7–8	4.6–7
Adult size	1.5 in	2.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Bottom	Middle
Group	Groups of 3+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for ghost shrimp

All ghost shrimp tank mates

Better tank mates for cardinal tetras

All cardinal tetra tank mates

Questions

Can ghost shrimp live with cardinal tetras?

Yes, with care. Ghost shrimp and cardinal tetras can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

What temperature suits both ghost shrimp and cardinal tetras?

76–82 °F. Ghost shrimp need 65–82 °F, cardinal tetras need 76–84 °F.

What size tank do ghost shrimp and cardinal tetras need together?

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