Cardinal tetras are one of the most popular freshwater fish that has vibrant colors. They are famous for their bright red color with blue lines. Besides this, these fish are also very peaceful, friendly, and adjust pretty well in a tank with minimum facilities. Moreover, Cardinal tetras are schooling fish prefers living in groups. Do you know what the minimum school size of Cardinal tetra is?
Cardinal Tetras are small schooling fish that prefer to be in groups of 6 or more. However, many aquarists keep them in smaller tanks with less than six tetras because they believe it will save resources and stress the fish.
This post will discuss Cardinal tetra school size and how to get the most out of your tank.
Are Cardinal Tetras Schooling Fish?
Yes, Cardinal Tetras are schooling fish. It would be best if you kept them in groups of six or more. They will often school even when there is plenty of room to set up territory to call their own.
In nature, Cardinal Tetras will school in groups of around 30. But they can comfortably live with up to 100 other fish from their species without becoming stressed out or fighting among themselves.
If you want a happy and healthy pack of Cardinals, it’s important to stick to these school size rules. Cardinal Tetras are an excellent first fish for novice aquarists because you can keep them in smaller groups. In addition, they will also enjoy living together with other types of tetras.
What Is The Minimum School Size For Cardinal Tetra?
When it comes to the minimum school size for cardinal tetra, you will need at least six to have a healthy community. This number will need to be even higher for breeding, somewhere in the range of 12-15. If you keep them with other types of tetra, there is no minimum school size so long as their tank mates aren’t aggressive or very large.
The minimum number for a group is five to six individuals with one male and four or more females in any tank set up as long as it is at least 15 gallons/60 liters. If you add other types of fish in the tank, a school of eight cardinal tetras or more is best for a group.
Ensure that you have at least six cardinal tetras when they are the only fish in the tank. However, there is no minimum school size in a tank with other types of tetra so long as their tank mates aren’t aggressive or very large.
What Are Factors That Determines The Minimum School Size For Cardinal Tetra?
You should have at least six cardinal tetra in one school for a group to be happy and healthy. The minimum school size for Cardinal tetra depends on different factors. Such as:
Size Of Tank
The minimum school size is different if you keep cardinal tetra in a 100-gallon tank or 20 gallons of water. The larger the volume, the more fish you can stay together happily.
Cardinal Tetra Size
If your Cardinal Tetras are small enough to fit comfortably into your hand, then they will be happier and healthier in a school of at least six. Usually, these fish can grow from three to four inches long in captivity if you provide them with proper care.
Stocking Density
Cardinal Tetras need lots of open swimming space and not too many other species that occupy the same areas. You need to start with a decent amount of space and make sure you will not overcrowd them as they grow bigger. It is best to plan before adding any new cardinal tetras into your tank, especially if there is already other fish.
Cardinal Tetra Species
There are different species of Cardinal Tetras. Some are more aggressive than others. If you have a peaceful species, keeping them in larger schools (up to 20 fish). However, the less friendly types need smaller groups of six or less because they tend to pick on each other when kept together too long.
Why Is Schooling Important For Cardinal Tetras?
Schooling is a process in which one or more fish gather together in a group. It is also crucial for the development of cardinal tetras. They develop better physically and mentally when schooled with other members of their species.
Some of the importance of keeping Cardinal tetras in schools are:
School Keeps Cardinal Tetras Safe
Cardinal Tetras are peaceful fish that form small groups, but they can prey to larger predatory fish. Therefore, they will school together to protect predators, feel safe with other cardinals’ companies, and develop better survival skills when kept in schools.
Non-Aggressive Environment
Most aquarists do not recommend keeping cardinal tetra alone. These fish are very social and need the company of their kind to thrive. Keeping them in solitary can cause stress which can lead to illness or even death.
Cardinal Tetras Breed Better When Schooled
One of the most important reasons for keeping cardinal tetra in schools is for breeding as they seem to breed better when kept together with their kind. Moreover, the school of Cardinal tetras makes them feel safe and secure, which enables them to breed.
Cardinal Tetras are at Less Risk of Illness
Keeping cardinal tetra in schools reduces the risk of illness because they do not contact sick members and remain active and healthy, enabling them to fight off any infection or disease better than when kept alone. As a result, they become less prone to illnesses like fin rot, ich, etc.
Cardinal Tetras are Better Parents in Schools
When kept with their species, cardinals tetra breed more often and become better parents. You can see them caring for eggs, guarding them against predators even chasing away tiny fry to keep them safe. In addition, schooling ensures that they develop good parenting skills, making it easier to keep their young ones safe and away from any harm.
Cardinal Tetras are Fun to Watch in Schools
Keeping cardinals tetra alone can become boring for fishkeepers because they spend most of the time hiding or sleeping. But when held with other members of their species, they come out all the time swimming around, exploring every nook and corner of an aquarium. They are very active and fun to watch, especially when they display their beautiful colors.
FAQs
What Is The Best Number Of Cardinal Tetras In A Tank?
The general rule of thumb for cardinal tetra fish minimum school size is that you need at least six. This, however, does not apply if you are planning on stocking your aquarium with other species or one particular type of cardinal tetra.
When stocking your aquarium with other species, you need to remember that the general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon of water.
What Is The Best Size Of Cardinal Tetras In A Tank?
The best size for a school of cardinal tetras is ten or more individuals. So when it comes to cardinal tetra fish minimum school size, ten should be the number you aim for.
Is It Ok To Mix Cardinal Tetras With Other Species?
Cardinal tetra fish can mix well with other species in your aquarium. But only if they are peaceful and do not require a large tank. If there are no compatibility issues and your tank is at least 30 gallons, you can mix them with other species of cardinal tetras.
What Are The Requirements For A Cardinal Tetra Fish Minimum School Size?
Cardinal tetras require a minimum school size to thrive and survive. So having six or more will be ideal for most aquariums. However, if there are compatibility issues or you plan to stock your aquarium with other species, ten should be the minimum number of cardinal tetras.
Conclusion
Summing up, you should keep in mind that the number of fish may be important for their well-being. Also, you need to think about how much time and money you need to take care of this school to avoid problems later on.
Following these guidelines can help you successfully maintain your beautiful school without any issues or concerns,
Thank you for reading!