Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

The Cardinal Tetra comes from the slow moving waters of the various tributaries in South America. They are a small, peaceful, schooling fish with bright colours. The top half of the fish is a bright blue and the bottom half is bright red. The ideal set-up is an aquarium of at least 30 gallons, and should be densely planted with plenty of low light areas. The Cardinal Tetra does best in soft water with an acidic pH. Stock these fish in groups of six or more and provide tank mates that are peaceful and do not pose a threat to the Cardinal Tetra. Breeding the Cardinal Tetra requires very soft water in the 1-2 dH range with a pH of 5-6 and low lighting levels. The female may lay as many as 130 eggs, and the adults should be removed at this time.

The eggs will hatch in about 24 hours, and will become waterborne in approximately five days. Feed the fry baby brine shrimp and other suitable small foods. The Cardinal Tetra will accept many small foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, micro pellet food, and high quality flake food. Ideal tank mates include: Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Dwarf Gouramis, Discus, Angelfish, Rainbowfish, Livebearers, Plecos, and small Scavenger Catfish. A large shoal makes a spectacular sight in the aquarium.

Family: Characidae

Adult Size: 2"

Lifespan: 4 years

Social: Peaceful, suitable for community tank

Origin:  Slow moving waters in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, South America.

Temperament: Peaceful, great community tank and should be kept in a small school of about 6 or more individuals.

Feeding:  Flake foods, adult brine shrimp, bloodworms & other live foods.

Temperature Range: 72-79°F. pH:  5-6.2

Hardness: up to 4 dGH

Sexing:  Females are a little larger, with wider bodies.

Breeding: Place in a 5 gal. tank that is well planted and darkened. Cardinal Tetras should be kept in tanks either with floating plants or dimly lit. Use soft water only. Condition spawners with brine shrimp, live brine shrimp nauplii, frozen blood worms, etc.  Slowly reduce pH to 5.8 and raise temperature 76°F.  Filtering water through peat moss will lower the pH and pick up other  natural organics that help motivate fish to spawn.  Eggs are laid in the evening. Remove the adults after spawning occurs. Fry should hatch after 24 hours. Feed with fry food.

The Cardinal tetra is an old aquarium favourite. Often confused with the smaller Neon tetra, these Characins display striking colours of blue and red usually only seen with Marine fish. Their bodies are slender; the upper half being blue and the lower half being red. All fins are transparent.

Compatibility: Tetras, Rasboras, Danios, Dwarf Gouramis, Discus, Angelfish, Rainbowfish, Livebearers, Plecos, and small Scavenger Catfish.

One of the most beautiful, common & popular fish.   Although  somewhat similar to Neon Tetra, these are two different species.

One of the most beautiful aquarium fish which are commonly found in fish shops. A shoaling fish which should be kept in a group. A minimum of six fish is best and it will help to make the fish more at ease in the aquarium which in turn will help to bring out their vibrant colours.

Very peaceful and active, making these fish an ideal addition to any community tank. They prefer soft and acidic water conditions, but will adapt to most water conditions and are in fact relatively hardy. Sexing the fish can be difficult, but in the main the females will look a little larger and more rounded than males. Feeding is straightforward, they will take most foods including flake, frozen brine shrimp and bloodworm. Breeding is possible, but not easy. Keep the fish in a well planted tank which is dimly lit. The fish will scatter the eggs on the plants, after which the adults should be removed from the tank. The eggs should hatch within 24 hours and will be free swimming in around four days. Feed on infusoria and other appropriate fry foods.

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