Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
Cardinal
Tetra – (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons (75 Liters)
Care Level: Easy
Water Conditions: PH 4.5-7.0 and Soft
Temperature: 75-84°F (24-29 °C)
Maximum Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
Care Level: Easy
Water Conditions: PH 4.5-7.0 and Soft
Temperature: 75-84°F (24-29 °C)
Maximum Size: 2 inches (5 cm)
The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is
a small, beautiful fresh water fish. It closely resembles the neon tetra, and
is often mistaken for this more common fish. Cardinal tetras are native to
Brazil and Venezuela, and are found in the upper Orinoco and Negro rivers.
Most cardinal tetras available in fish stores are wild-caught,
though more captive-bred ones have become available in recent years. However,
unlike many other fish, the cardinal tetra fishery is believed to be
sustainable and this species is not currently threatened in the wild. A good
way to tell if the fish are wild-caught, is to inspect them for fin damage
caused by the nets used to catch them.
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They are very short-lived in the wild, and it is believed that
most only have a lifespan of around one year. In the home aquarium, they will
live longer, and if provided with the proper conditions, they may live up to
three years. However, their life span will be significantly reduced if they are
kept in poor conditions, or in hard water.
Housing
Cardinal tetras tend to be delicate in captivity, and are very
sensitive to poor water conditions (including nitrates). Because of this, they
should be provided with the largest aquarium your available space (and budget)
can accomodate. While many people recommend a 10 gallon (38 liter) tank as the
minimum tank size for them, a 20 gallon (75 liter) would actually be a better
choice. It is very important that they be provided with soft, acidic water in
their tank. While captive bred cardinal tetras are somewhat adaptable to harder
waters, wild-caught ones don’t adapt well to basic, moderately hard water.Cardinal
tetras are a shoaling fish, and they should always be kept in groups of at
least six. With that being said, they do prefer larger groups, and many people
recommend keeping them in groups of no less than ten.They should be kept in subdued lighting, and this can best be
accomplished through the use of floating plants or a dim light. A dark
substrate is best, though a sand substrate is also acceptable. Some aquarists
cover the substrate with leaf litter to more closely mimic their natural
environment. But this should not be viewed as a requirement, and brings a whole
host of other problems with it. However, live aquatic plants are an absolute
must, and some excellent plants which can thrive in low light are cryptocoryne
wendtii, Java ferns, Java moss, and most species of Anubias.
Feeding
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Breeding
Breeding cardinal tetras can be difficult, and they require very
precise conditions to spawn. In the wild, they breed in areas that are almost
completely enclosed by the rainforest canopy. Under the darkness of the
intertwined tree branches, they breed in massive shoals, though they will breed
in small groups, or pairs in the home aquarium.A breeding tank must mimic their natural breeding habitat as
closely as possible, and should be completely shaded from any light. The water
must also be very soft and acidic, and nitrates must be kept to an absolute
minimum. The ideal temperature for a breeding tank is around 82ºF (28ºC).Any fish tank used for breeding should be completely cycled, and
a sponge filter is recommended for filtration. Live plants should also be
provided, as this is where the cardinal tetras will scatter their eggs. Java
moss is an excellent choice for this, and will also provide cover for newborn
fry.Once a male and a female have been selected for breeding, they
should be placed in separate tanks. They should then be conditioned with live
foods, until the female appears swollen with eggs, and the male is displaying
vivid colors. Once they look ready to spawn, they should be placed together in
the breeding tank.If they are ready to breed, the male will pursue the female
into the live plants. If the female is receptive, she will swim alongside the
male, and the male will release his sperm, while the female simultaneously
releases her eggs.The parents can be removed once the eggs become visible, or they
can be left in the aquarium until you notice free swimming fry. However, the
fry should be raised on their own, and the adults should be removed as soon as
it can be confirmed that breeding has taken place.If the eggs are not exposed
to any light, they will hatch in two to three days. If the eggs are exposed to
any sort of illumination, they will die. The newborn fry are also sensitive to
light, and should be kept in low light conditions for at least a week after
hatching. At this point they can be slowly introduced to increasing levels of
light.Newly hatched cardinal tetra fry can be fed infusoria or any of
the commercially available fry foods. After a few weeks, they can be moved on
to baby brine shrimp, micro worms, or finely crushed flake food.
How to Tell Neon Tetras
and Cardinal Tetras Apart
If you’re having trouble telling neon tetras and cardinal tetras
apart, you’re not alone. But there are several ways that you can distinguish
these two very similar looking fish. The best way to tell them apart is to look
at the red stripe on their body. On a neon tetra it only extends halfway to its
nose, while a cardinal tetra’s extends almost the entire length of its body.
Also, the blue stripe will be much more vivid on a cardinal tetra, although
this takes a seasoned eye to see.
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