Cardinal Tetra

Paracheiroden Axelrodi Description

Cardinal tetras have a luminous electric blue stripe running laterally along the brilliant red body. The name originates from the similarity between this red shade and the robes warn by it's religious counterpart.

The cardinal tetra's bold appearance has been adopted by fish food and aquarium equipment manufacturers for use in logos and packaging adornment. The cardinal tetra is a true icon of the aquarium industry.

There is often confusion between the cardinal tetra and neon tetra. They are both a similar size with matching colours. After careful observation you will notice  the colour is not arranged in exactly the same way.

Both have blue covering the top half and crimson red at the bottom. The neon tetra only has red from the middle to the tail. The cardinal tetra however has a strip of red stretching the entire length of the body.

Aquarium & Companions

A truly peaceful community fish, the cardinal tetra should be kept with other small acid loving fish with similar requirements. Kept in schools and allowed plenty of free space, It will swim at all levels making it useful for filling any gaps in the community aquarium.

Feeding

Good quality tropical tetra flake with weekly live food is a sufficient diet. If kept in a community then general tropical flake can make up the dry food component effectively.

Cardinal Tetra Profile

Family - Characidae
 
Size - 4 cm

Fish Origin - South America

Water - Soft to medium hard pH 6 acid water

Temperature - 24°C

Feeding - Small live foods, tetra flake and general tropical preparations

Sexing - Female grows slightly larger with a plumper body

Breeding - Egg scatterer

Aquarium - Peaceful schooling community fish

Black Widow Tetra   Cardinal Tetra   Congo Tetra   Aquarium Fish