Fish comparison
Cardinal Tetra vs Ember Tetra
How the Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Cardinal Tetra vs Ember Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra and the Ember Tetra come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 23 to 27 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5, so a single tank can suit either one. The Ember Tetra is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Cardinal Tetra rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Ember Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Cardinal Tetra the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Cardinal Tetra23–27 °C
- Ember Tetra23–29 °C
pH
- Cardinal Tetra4.5–6.5
- Ember Tetra5.5–7
Hardness
- Cardinal Tetra1–6 dGH
- Ember Tetra1–10 dGH
What to plan for
- Cardinal Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 cardinal tetra. Cardinal Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Ember Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 ember tetra. Ember Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishCardinal TetraParacheirodon axelrodi |  FishEmber TetraHyphessobrycon amandae |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Upper Orinoco and Rio Negro basins | Rio das Mortes basin, Brazil |
| Family | Characidae | Characidae |
| Temperature | 23–27 °C | 23–29 °C |
| pH | 4.5–6.5 | 5.5–7.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–6 | 1–10 |
| Flow rate | Low | Low |
| Min tank | 75 L | 40 L |
| Adult size | 4–5 cm | 2 cm |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 4–6 yrs | 2–4 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Mostly (may eat shrimplets) | Yes (adults safe with adult shrimp) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 27 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Cardinal Tetra or the Ember Tetra?
The Ember Tetra is the easier of the two, closer to beginner-friendly, while the Cardinal Tetra leans middle-of-the-road.
Do Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 27 °C and pH 5.5 to 6.5 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Cardinal Tetra and the Ember Tetra?
Space. The Cardinal Tetra wants about 75 litres minimum and the Ember Tetra around 40, so tank size can settle it.