10 Gallon Tank Cardinal Tetras Hiding

I recently got 5 cardinal tetras for my 10g, and they are hiding behind plants (Java fern) ever since(5 days). They won't come out to feed either I need to put food where they are hiding to feed them. There is no other bully fish in the tank just one nerite snail which also hides. So my tank basically seems empty all day. Although it is a planted tank; so I have a planted tank light. This seems to be the reason I see them out sometimes when lights are off. Now I can't turn off lights since I don't want my plants to die. I am also confused if I should get more cardinal with the risk of all of them hiding or get other tetras like neon; which are brave enough to swim out and would bring them out as well. Please advice.

P.S. Tank isn't new and my water params are all 0 with 7ph, and 78F temp. I know they need to be in a group of 6 and more but the store had only 5 and I am planning to get more as soon as they are available.

 

If it's really a brightly lit planted tank most tetras are a bad choice, frankly. Cardinals like it quite dark, as do neons. I can't think of a species of tetra that is really ok with bright lights that would work in a 10. (Which I find too small for cardinals anyway).
Rasboras like the Harlequin or Danios are better suited for a bright tank in my opinion.

Can you post a picture of the tank?

 

If your light has a dimmer feature that could be handy.

 

Now I can't turn off lights since I don't want my plants to die.

If you only have java ferns, I know they do well with or without light and your tank is probably too brightly lit. As long as the room the tank is in is well lit and the cover (if any) on the tank isn’t completely opaque, the plants won’t die.

I agree with MacZ , your tank is probably too small. The only schooling fish I’ve heard could work in a 10 gallon is chili rasboras.

 

If it's really a brightly lit planted tank most tetras are a bad choice, frankly. Cardinals like it quite dark, as do neons. I can't think of a species of tetra that is really ok with bright lights that would work in a 10. (Which I find too small for cardinals anyway).
Rasboras like the Harlequin or Danios are better suited for a bright tank in my opinion.

Can you post a picture of the tank?

This makes sense. Thanks. I wish LFS or online care guides has mentioned this. I guess I will have to rehome them.

If your light has a dimmer feature that could be handy.

It does I will see if that helps thanks

 

Best rehome the cardinals. In your tank size they will likely start to go piranha on each other.

Some small rasboras (chilis, kubotai etc) would be the best choice for your tank size. But they also like it darker.

That's the problem with planted tanks. Very often the optimal conditions for the plants are torture and permanent stress for the fish. You will have to find a balance or your stocking options end at inverts like shrimp and snails.