Can pea puffers live with cardinal tetras?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Pea puffers 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.

Pea puffer74–82°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 outPea puffers are aggressive, though cardinal tetras are big enough to shrug most of it off.

What works

Both are fine at 76–82°F.

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

	Pea puffer	Cardinal tetra
Temperature	74–82 °F	76–84 °F
pH	7–8	4.6–7
Adult size	1.0 in	2.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Peaceful
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

CrayfishYes

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for cardinal tetras

All cardinal tetra tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with cardinal tetras?

Yes, with care. Pea puffers 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 pea puffers and cardinal tetras?

76–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, cardinal tetras need 76–84 °F.

What size tank do pea puffers and cardinal tetras need together?

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