Cardinal Tetra

Scientific Name(s): Paracheirodon axelrodi
Synonyms: Cheirodon axelrodi, Hyphessobrycon cardinalis.
Common Name(s): red tetra, cardinal tetra, tetra

Origin: South America, Rio Negro and Orinoco, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Family: Characidae
Species Type: Tetra
Maximum Size: 2 Inches (5cm)
Life Span: 4 Yrs
Natural Habitat: slow moving waters of well-vegetated tributaries, Occurs mainly in shoals in the middle water layers.
Diet: worms and small crustaceans, will accept many small foods such as brine shrimp or daphnia, freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, micro pellet food, and high quality flake food
Temperature: 73.5 – 80.5° F (23 – 27° C)
PH: 4-6
Hardness: up to 4 dGH (less the 3 is recommended)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallon
Tank Region: mid/top
Temperament: peaceful, should always be kept in groups consisting of at least five cardinal tetras and groups of 10 or more is suggested.
Possible Tank Mates: other peaceful tropical fish species of similar size.
Filtration and Setup: no special filtration needs. Does best in soft, acidic water with few fluctuations in water parameters.
Coloration: bright blue stripe contrasted by a lower red stripe that runs the entire length of its body.

Breeding: requires very soft water in the 1-2 dH range, a pH of 5-6, and low lighting levels. Switch from flake food to plenty of live food and include fine leaved plants in the aquarium set up.

The cardinal tetra is a non-guarding open water/substratum egg scatterer that will prefer to deposit the eggs among plants. Over 500 eggs can be released in one spawning. The eggs will hatch after 24-30 hours and it will then take an additional 3-4 days before the fry are free-swimming. Really small fry-food is necessary since the miniscule Cardinal tetra fry cannot handle large food types.

The fry are very sensitive to poor water conditions and you can expect very high death rates if you do not keep the water quality at supreme levels. Another threat is the adult fish. Since cardinal tetras are non-guarders, they will not hesitate to eat eggs and fry. To increase success, it is recommended to breed cardinal tetras in a separate fry rearing aquarium.



Photo courtesy of Lerdsuwa