Cardinal Tetra

he Cardinal Tetra looks very similar and is often confused with the Neon Tetra. The Cardinal Tetra will have the red stripe the full length of its body on the lower half, whereas the Neon Tetra will have the red stripe only half way. These tetras make excellent community tank mates and for best results you should keep them in a school (shoal) of 6 or more.

The cardinals prefer water slightly on the acidic side and for best results you'll want to acclimate them very slowly to your tank. Slowly mix in a little water from your tank to the bag they came in over a period of an hour or more. They can be very sensitive to dramatic changes in water chemistry (especially pH). Though these tetras should fare well if properly acclimated, this is not the fish to add to a new aquarium. Make sure that your tank has completed the aquarium nitrogen cycle. Give them a tank with low light levels and lots of aquarium plants.

It can be difficult to differentiate the male from the female, but there is speculation that the females are a little bit larger than the male.

They will accept all sorts of tropical fish food, including flakes, frozen and freeze dried foods and definitley live foods.

Scientific Name : Paracheirodon axelrodi

Common Names : Cardinal Tetra

Care Level : Easy, acclimate slowly to your tank water and don't even think about adding them to an aquarium that has not completed the aquarium nitrogen cycle.

Size : Up to 2 inches (5 cm)

pH : 5.5 - 7, prefer water slightly on the acidic side

Temperature : 73°F - 80°F (23°C - 27°C)

Water Hardness : 2° to 6° dH

Lifespan : 2 - 5 years

Origin / Habitat : South America

Temperament / Behavior : This is a very peaceful tropical fish and best kept in schools of 6 or more.

Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : They can be difficult to breed in the home aquarium. They are egglayers and the adult fish must be removed after dropping the eggs. Provide low lighting and very soft water (1° to 3° dH). Feed the fry brine shrimp.

Tank Size : 10 gallon or larger.

Compatible Tank Mates : Many, given their peaceful nature. Avoid keeping with tropical fish large enough to eat them.

Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease

Diet / Fish Food : Will go after flakes, live and freeze dried foods. Give them a varied diet for best results.

Tank Region : Mostly middle to top.

Gender : The male is usually smaller than a female of the same age.