"Enhance your aquarium with the vibrant Cardinal Tetra! Known for their striking colors and peaceful nature, these fish are perfect for community tanks."

Overview: The Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a popular and visually stunning freshwater fish that hails from the slow-moving rivers and streams of South America, particularly the Amazon Basin. These small, peaceful fish are prized by aquarists for their brilliant colors and ease of care, making them an ideal choice for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. Cardinal Tetras thrive in community tanks and add a lively splash of color to any aquarium setup.

Appearance:

• Coloration: Cardinal Tetras are renowned for their vivid coloration. They have a bright red lower body extending from their midsection to the tail and a vibrant iridescent blue upper body that runs from the head to the tail. This striking combination makes them stand out in any tank.
• Body Shape: They possess a sleek, torpedo-shaped body, which is typical of tetras. Their fins are mostly transparent, allowing their body colors to take center stage.
• Size: Cardinal Tetras are small, typically growing up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length.

Water Conditions: To ensure the health and vibrancy of Cardinal Tetras, maintain the following water conditions:

• Temperature: 73-81°F (23-27°C).
• pH Range: 5.5-7.0.
• Water Hardness: 2-6 dGH.
• Tank Size: A minimum of 10 gallons is recommended for a small school, with larger tanks preferred to accommodate a larger group and provide a more stable environment.

Tank Setup: Creating an ideal habitat for your Cardinal Tetras involves several considerations:

• Substrate: Use a dark, fine gravel or sandy substrate to mimic their natural riverbed environment and enhance their colors.
• Decor: Include plenty of live plants, such as Java moss, Amazon swords, and Cryptocoryne, to provide hiding spots and create a naturalistic setting. Driftwood and leaf litter can also be added to mimic their natural habitat.
• Filtration: A gentle filter is preferred, as strong currents can stress these small fish. Sponge filters or hang-on-back filters with adjustable flow are ideal for maintaining water quality without creating excessive water movement.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is sufficient to highlight their vibrant colors and support plant growth. Dim lighting can help them feel more secure and reduce stress.

Tank Mates: Cardinal Tetras are peaceful and social, making them suitable for community tanks. Choose tank mates carefully:

• Compatible Species: Other peaceful fish such as Neon Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras catfish, small Gouramis, and other small, non-aggressive fish. Shrimp and snails can also be good tank mates.
• Incompatible Species: Avoid larger, aggressive fish or fin-nippers like Barbs and Cichlids that can harass or harm tetras.

Feeding Habit: Cardinal Tetras are omnivores with diverse dietary needs. Provide a varied diet to keep them healthy and vibrant:

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake or micro pellet food designed for tropical fish.
• Supplements: Offer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms to provide necessary protein and variety.
• Vegetables: Include blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini occasionally.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed them 2-3 times a day in small portions to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Care and Maintenance: Regular care and maintenance are crucial for the well-being of your Cardinal Tetras:

• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20-30% to keep water parameters stable and reduce waste buildup.
• Health Monitoring: Watch for signs of common fish diseases such as fin rot, ich, and parasitic infections. Early detection and treatment are vital.
• Behavioral Observation: Observe their behavior regularly. Healthy tetras are active, schooling together, and exhibit vibrant coloration.

Breeding: Breeding Cardinal Tetras can be challenging but rewarding:

• Pair Selection: Choose healthy and vibrant pairs to enhance breeding success. Males and females are difficult to distinguish, but females may appear slightly rounder when full of eggs.
• Spawning Environment: Set up a separate breeding tank with slightly acidic, soft water. Provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops where eggs can be deposited.
• Fry Care: Once the eggs are laid, remove the adults to prevent them from eating the eggs. The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours. Feed the fry infusoria or commercially available liquid fry food until they are large enough to eat micro worms or finely crushed flake food.