Cardinal Tetra

Cardinal Tetra
"Paracheirodon axelrodi"

One of the most popular tropical fish among the hobbyist. They are very similar to Neon Tetra. Their only differences between these two tropical fish are Cardinal Tetra have Dark Red Stomach and usually larger compare to Neon Tetra.



Original habitat:
Around the edge of the Amazon region, mainly in the Rio Negro and Orinoco rivers.
Sex:
The males are thinner compare to the female. Their colour are brighter. The females have fuller stomach.
Max Length:
5 cm.
Temperature:
24 to 28 degrees Celsius.
Water:
The ideal are soft or very soft (2-8 gH) and slightly acidic (pH 6).
Accommodation:
This tropical fish can be kept in smaller aquarium. However, due to their vigorous and enthusiastic nature, larger aquarium are a better choice. The prefer dark substrate. This alongside dense peripheral vegetation and floating plants will make them feel very happy. They also enjoy a little current in their aquarium but it is not a must. They do not like being in a brightly lit aquarium.
Characteristics:
This tropical fish can be very friendly both towards their own and towards other species. They are shoaling fish with the minimum number of 20. The larger the shoal, the better they feel. There are reports that Cardinal Tetra form a number of thousands members shoal in the wild. This are obviously impossible to be achieved in the aquarium.
Food:
They'll happily accept dry food and small live food.
Breeding:
The difficulties in breeding Cardinal Tetra lays on raising the fry process. The breeding process itself however, is not as difficult indeed. This is due the reason the fry are very sensitive and prone to disease.
It is advisable to sterilized all the equipment, tank and even the cover before being use for the breeding process. The other important precaution to take is that the aquarium itself should not be placed in a well lighted area. Both parents and fry prefer dimmer lighting.
If the fishes are ready to spawn, the male will pursue the female into fine-leaved plants. If the female is ready, she will allow the male to swim alongside her and together, the pair will release eggs and sperm.
Apart from the stringent requirements with respect to water chemistry, one of the major difficulties mitigating against success in captive breeding of the species is the nature of the newly laid and fertilised eggs. Cardinal Tetra's eggs are photosensitive (very sensitive to light) and will die if exposed to bright light. Consequently, after spawning, the fishes should be removed and the aquarium covered to darken it.
If the eggs are fertile and kept in darkened surroundings, they will hatch in approximately 3 days at 28°C. Free swimming fry remain photosensitive for at least the first 7 days of life and need to be introduced to increasing light levels on a gradual basis. During this time, they are approximately 4 mm in length, and require infusoria or liquid fry food. Newly hatched brine shrimp and other similar live foods such as sifted Daphnia can be fed to the growing fry at between 7 and 14 days of age. Growth continues at a modest rate, and the fishes assume full adult colouration only after a period of approximately 8 to 12 weeks, depending upon quality of food and aquarium water.