Cardinal tetra, debatably the most famous small tetra, closely resembles the neon tetra.
Even though breeding them in captivity may be difficult, cardinal tetras are energetic schooling fish that dwell peacefully in community aquariums.
They are still well-known aquarium fish.
Overview
- The cardinal tetra is also called roter neon, large neon tetra, or red neon.
- Its scientific name is Paracheirodon axelrodi.
- It can grow up to 5 cm (2 inches) long and live up to 4 years.
Characteristics
- Origin: Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela
- Family: Characidae
- Diet: Omnivores
- Social: Peaceful, active, and great for community tank
- Tank level: Tank can be filled from top to mid-level
- Breeding method: Egglaying
- Caring: Intermediate
- Temperatures: 23 to 27 degrees C (73 to 81 degrees)
- Hardness: Can be as high as 4 dGH
- pH level: 4.6 to 6.2
Origin
Known to originate from South America, the cardinal tetra is found in Rio Negro, western Colombia and Orinoco. Although cardinal tetras have been seen in other locations, they are likely fish that have escaped from breeders and collectors.
One place where a bunch of cardinal tetras have become very comfortable is in Manaus, northern Brazil. Their waterways are mostly very dense since little or no light gets through, and they are covered by rainforests.
This is very conducive for cardinal tetras as they love to bask in the shaded areas. They can be found in large numbers in areas with still or slow-moving clear waters. It isn’t uncommon to find cardinal tetras in hundreds, brilliantly clustered together, forming a giant school of fish.
Their natural habitat generally comprises soft, acidic water with a pH of 5. They live in shoals, mostly in the mid-water layers, where their main diet comprises tiny crustaceans and worms.
Markings and Colors
The cardinal tetra has been naturally designed with a noticeable neon blue stripe coursing from the nose to their tail. Right below the blue stripe is yet another red stripe. The red stripe blends beautifully well into the tail of the cardinal tetra. The fins and the tail of the cardinal tetra are somewhat transparent.
You can distinguish a cardinal tetra from a neon tetra just by the band of red that runs through the entire length of the fish. The neon tetras have the red band run from the middle of their body to their tail.
When provided with soft, acidic water, adult cardinal tetras give off the most amazing display of colors that would leave anyone mesmerized.
Cardinal Tetras Tank Mates
The cardinal tetras are peaceful fishes that thrive better when kept in schools. At least half a dozen cardinal tetras are required for a community tank.
If the water conditions favor them and other species, you have a healthy aquatic world to help with your mental state.
Fishes that may be suitable tank mates with the cardinal tetras would include other tetra species, dwarf gouramis, danios, rasboras, and smaller or medium members of catfish.
It is also helpful when you don’t keep your cardinal tetras with fishes that feed on smaller fishes. Also, if the fish in your tank have their mouth big enough to swallow the cardinal tetra, it is best to separate them.
Care and Habitat
For optimal care of your cardinal tetras, a mature tank filled with soft, acidic water is needed to keep your fish healthy and active. The hardness of the water shouldn’t be more than 4 dGH, and the pH level shouldn’t be below 6.
You would be shortening the lifespan of your cardinal tetra if you placed them in water with a high mineral content.
The goal here is to create a stable water chemistry for the fish. Also, ensure that the water temperature of your tank doesn’t go beyond 73° to 81° (23° to 27°C). Also noticed is that the cardinal tetra is not a species that strives well in a freshly started aquarium.
Lighting should be repressed, as should the surrounding décor. You can also control the lighting by introducing floating plants. Even though cardinal tetras love to swim in open spaces, they also require hidden spots to hide and do whatever fishes do easily.
A conducive environment for your cardinal tetras guarantees a healthy and active school of fish.
Diet
The cardinal tetra can be classified as an omnivore and can eat almost any food. These fish require plenty of vitamins, so ensure that quality flake food makes up for at least 75 percent of their food.
The cardinal tetras possess small mouths, so they need their food eaten in tiny pieces. If breeders are conditioned, it’s important to give them live foods.
How to Know Their Sexes
It is pretty easy to spot some obvious differences between the sexes. Female cardinal tetras appear somewhat rounder bellies with a deeper body, while the males look slender. The male cardinals also possess a hook extending from their anal fin.
Breeding the Cardinal Tetra
It may be a bit challenging to breed cardinal tetras in home aquaria. A breeding tank must be set aside with an environment- as listed earlier-, to suit the fish. The tank should be stocked with fine-leaved plants, as this would aid in scattering their eggs on the leaves.
They usually spawn in the evenings, laying eggs between 150 to 600. Spawning may happen late in the day and, sometimes, into the night.
The mating pair must be removed from the tank once spawning is complete. The mating pair will start feeding on the eggs. It would take approximately 24 hours for the eggs to hatch, and depend on the yolk sac for nutrients for up to 4 or 5 days.
You should then feed them rotifers, infusoria, or commercially prepared foods. Cardinal tetra hatchlings also enjoy freshly hatched brine shrimp as they grow. Be sure to use floating plants to help maintain a dark tank.
Also, it is equally best to keep the lighting on the low. A young cardinal tetra (and other tetras) is extremely photo-sensitive.
I’m sure you enjoyed reading this article and want cardinal tetras. These are some pet fish breeds that might also interest you;
- Danios
- Rasboras
- And other tetras
Have you kept fish with traits similar to those of the cardinal tetras? Do you think you could handle keeping cardinal tetras? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
