Cardinal tetra – Paracheirodon axelrodi
Species name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common names: cardinal tetra
Family: Characidae
Subfamily: Incertae sedis
Order: Cypriniformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 1.25 in.
Minimum tank size: 5 gallon
Hardiness: Medium once established
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Distribution: Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America.
Diet: Omnivore. They feed on worms and small crustaceans and small insect in the wild. In captivity, they will accept most food types, including flake food.
Additional information:
The Cardinal tetra is one of the most frequently kept fish species among aquarists, and is especially popular among beginners.
It is a freshwater fish of the characin family (family Characidae) native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. They are usually found in slow moving waters and well-vegetated tributaries where water is very peaty black and water condition can be very extreme (sometime in pH of 3-4). In nature, schools of Cardinal Tetra number from a few hundred to thousands.
The cardinal tetra has the iridescent blue line characteristic of the Paracheirodon species. The stripe extends from the upper parts of the eye to just below the Adipose fin. The body below is a bright red area that covers the lower part of the body. The finds have no color.
The Cardinal tetra is often confused with the Neon Tetra – Paracheirodon innesi, but in the Neon tetra the red area only runs halfway down the body, and the neon’s blue stripe is a less vibrant blue.
As said above, Cardinal tetras are schooling fish so groups of six or more individuals should be maintained in an aquarium. The larger the numbers present in an aquarium, the better it is. A Cardinal tetra only tank can makes a great display. I have kept schools of over 30 individuals in a 25 gallon tank for years. That was an awesome looking tank. They usually swim back and forth as a shoal so your tank should be fairly long, rather than tall.
The schooling behaviour only occurs when there is some sort of fear stimulus (something that won’t eat them!). Tank currents can also help encourage shoaling behavior.
In captivity, they will appreciate a densely planted aquarium with some open swimming space in the centre. Floating plants to cut down on the light intensity is recommended. Very soft and acidic preferred, but captive-bred fish will tolerate medium hard and alkaline water with few fluctuations in water parameters. Ideally, a water temperature of 75-84ºF should be maintained and water of middle hardness to soft is recommended.
The tank should be well established as Cardinal Tetras are very susceptible to water quality changes and ammonia build up. Frequent water changes are also really important as the Cardinal tetra will not tolerate high nitrate levels.
Choose your Cardinals’ tank mates well because any fish whose mouth is large enough will eat them. Tankmates should consist only of other peaceful species.
They look good with a dark background and substrate.
Article written by www.aquariumslife.com
References: Wikipedia
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