(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common Name: Cardinal Tetra
Adult Size: 1.6 inches
Life Expectancy: 10 years
Habitat: South America
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 68 - 77°F
- pH Range: 5.0 - 8.0
- Water Hardness: 3 - 25
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet & Nutrition: Omnivore; will generally eat all kinds of small or finely ground foods--live, fresh, and flake. To keep a good balance, give them a high quality flake food every day. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.
Breeding & Spawning: Egg layers. Somewhat difficult to breed but can be accomplished using especially soft acidic water along with intense sterilization of the breeding tank and everything used in and on the tank. With compatible breeding pairs, and given the right conditions, these fish will even spawn in a community tank. Unfortunately the eggs and fry will most often be eaten, so a separate breeding tank is best.
Gender: Female cardinal tetras are generally larger and have a plumper, more rounded belly than the slimmer, more slender males. While a male's anal fin has a hook, this is very difficult to observe, making body shape the most reliable indicator for distinguishing between the sexes.
