Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Family: Characidae • Origin: South America
The Cardinal Tetra has a red stripe extending the full length of its body. Prefers soft acidic water and shows richer coloration in blackwater setups.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
2"
Temperature
73-81°F
pH
4.5-6.5
Lifespan
4 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
1-5 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Prefers soft acidic water (pH 5.0-6.5)
- • Looks best in blackwater
- • Keep in schools of 10+
- • Avoid hard alkaline water
- • Sensitive to nitrates
Feeding: Micro pellets, flakes, frozen daphnia and brine shrimp.
Compatibility Notes: Prefers softer, more acidic water than neons. Excellent in blackwater setups.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- pH Range
- 4.5–6.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 1–5
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Prefers softer, more acidic water than neons. Excellent in blackwater setups.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 4 years
Ideal For
10 galloncommunityplanted tankblackwater
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
75-82°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 10+1"
Dwarf Pencilfish
Nannostomus marginatus
75-82°FpH 5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1.4"
Emperor Tetra
Nematobrycon palmeri
73-81°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Blue Emperor Tetra
Inpaichthys kerri
73-81°FpH 6-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"