Cardinal tetra

Common name Cardinal tetra Picture of Cardinal Tetras
Photo courtesy of Lisa Williams
© Lisa Williams

Scientific name Paracheirodon axelrodi

Synonyms Cheirodon axelrodi (not valid)

Size 2" (5cm)

Origin South America: Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela

Tank setup A well planted tank with a dark background will show these colourful tetras at their best.

Compatibility Peaceful, community.

Temperature 22-26^oC (72-79^oF)

Water chemistry Very soft and acidic preferred, but captive-bred fish will tolerate medium hard and alkaline water.

Feeding Omnivorous: Flake, granular foods and micro-pellets, supplemented with small live and frozen foods.

Sexing Males are slimmer than females.

Breeding Very soft (<3 dGH), acidic water required. The parents should be removed after spawning, which usually occurs in the evening. Around 500 eggs are laid which hatch in about 24 hours.

Comments A very popular tetra that is similar to the Neon tetra, but has more red on the lower part of the body, where the Neon is silver. A large shoal of these fish makes for a spectacular sight in a well-planted tank.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Cardinal tetra	Photo courtesy of Lisa Williams `© Lisa Williams`
Scientific name	Paracheirodon axelrodi
Synonyms	Cheirodon axelrodi (not valid)
Size	2" (5cm)
Origin	South America: Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela
Tank setup	A well planted tank with a dark background will show these colourful tetras at their best.
Compatibility	Peaceful, community.
Temperature	22-26^oC (72-79^oF)
Water chemistry	Very soft and acidic preferred, but captive-bred fish will tolerate medium hard and alkaline water.
Feeding	Omnivorous: Flake, granular foods and micro-pellets, supplemented with small live and frozen foods.
Sexing	Males are slimmer than females.
Breeding	Very soft (<3 dGH), acidic water required. The parents should be removed after spawning, which usually occurs in the evening. Around 500 eggs are laid which hatch in about 24 hours.
Comments	A very popular tetra that is similar to the Neon tetra, but has more red on the lower part of the body, where the Neon is silver. A large shoal of these fish makes for a spectacular sight in a well-planted tank.