Paracheirodon axelrodi – Cardinal Tetra
The cardinal tetra was first described in 1956 by Schultz as Paracheirodon axelrodi. This species has a few synonyms: Cheirodon axelrodi and Hyphessobrycon cardinalis.
The name Paracheirodon can be broken down into two parts: “Para” means almost or false and implies something that resembles. “Cheirodon” means pointed pole and refers to the pointed teeth of this genus. The species name “Axelrodi” is a reference to the author Herbert R. Axelrod.
Their common name is Cardinal Tetra or Cardinaaltetra. This name is derived from the cardinal red color on the underside.
Description
The difference between male and female Cardinal Tetra is very hard to see. They both have a fluorescent blue horizontal stripe running from their beak to their tail.Below this blue line runs a bright red. The fins are colorless and the back and belly are silver-colored. The males are slightly smaller as the females and the females have a more rounded belly then males. They look very similar to their cousin Paracheirodon innesi or Neon Tetra.
Thanks to its gentle character and behavior and its beautiful colors, it can be combined with many other species in a community aquarium. We don’t recommend Angelfish, as Angelfish are hunters and Cardinal Tetras are a natural food source.
The life expectancy of a Cardinal Tetra in the wild is about 1 year. In the aquarium, they can reach an age of up to 5 or even 10 years.
Biotope
The Paracheirodon axelrodi has a very large distribution area in Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil (Rio Negro, Rio Orinoco, Rio Vaupes Rio Aturia and their tributaries). They usually occur in small shady clear water or in black water streams. They populate the middle part of the water in usually large schools.
Diet
In the wild Cardinal Tetra’s feed mainly on meaty foods like invertebrates, eggs, small insects like ants, mites, larvae and small young fish. Everything that moves and fits in their small beaks will be eaten. Alongside the meaty foods they will pick up some algae as well.
It is therefore very important to give Paracheirodon axelrodi (or any other fish) different kinds of food. With a varied diet of flake food, small living foods like Daphnia, and freshly hatched brine shrimp they stay healthy and show their best colors.
The Aquarium
Undoubtedly the Cardinal Tetra or Paracheirodon axelrodi is the most commonly species kept in aquariums. In the aquarium, it shows its best colours under some dimmed lighting or floating plants and adequate shelter. It is a schooling fish so you will need a minimum of 8 of them. The larger the school the more they show their natural behaviour! They will school better if they feel threatened, so adding one of the larger but peaceful species makes them form a school but make sure they don’t get eaten.
They will do fine in a water temperature of 23 to 29 degrees Celsius. Just make sure not to keep them year-round on the minimum or maximum temperature as this will shorten their lifespan. Use a decent aquarium thermometer to check your heater.
Susceptibility to Diseases
It is a species that is very sensitive to Ich and changes in the water composition, often they are the first fish that get this disease if something goes wrong with the water quality. When moving this species definitely use the drip method to get them used to the new water composition.
Breeding Paracheirodon axelrodi
Breeding the Cardinal Tetra is very difficult and only reports of incidentally successful spawns can be found.
Use a breeding tank with very soft water with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Decorate the aquarium with Java moss and little lighting. The eggs hatch after a day, and the fry swim around after a few days. Cardinal tetras are egg scatterers, remove the parents after spawning or else they eat the eggs. The young Paracheirodon axelrodi can be raised with the smallest food like Paramecium.
In the wild, the Cardinal Tetra spawns during the rainy season. Mating usually takes place at dusk. The male hugs the female, while releasing the eggs the male also releases his hom and fertilizes the eggs. The up to 500 eggs are simply released into the river. Because Paracheirodon axelrodi eggs are sensitive to light, they are released into the shaded areas of the river.
The cultivation is very difficult but not impossible. See also the article The breeding of the Cardinal tetra.
Video
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
🌡️ What is the ideal water temperature and pH value for the Cardinal Tetra?
The Cardinal Tetra feels best at a water temperature between 23°C and 27°C and a pH value between 4.5 and 7.0. They prefer soft, lightly sour water, similar to their natural habitat in the Amazon region.
❤️ How big does a Cardinal Tetra get and how old can it get?
In aquariums, Cardinal tetras can reach a length of approximately 5 cm. With proper care, they can live for 3 to 5 years.
🤝 Are cardinal tetras suitable for a community aquarium?
Yes, Cardinal Tetras are peaceful schooling fish that do well in community aquariums with other peaceful fish. They feel most comfortable in groups of at least 6 to 10 individuals.
🥩 What do cardinal tetras eat?
Cardinal tetras are omnivores. They enjoy a varied diet consisting of fine dry food, frozen food such as brine shrimp and water fleas, and small live food. A varied diet helps maintain their vibrant colors and overall health.
Authors
Since I bought my first second-hand aquarium when I was twelve, I have always had one or more aquariums. I even converted a garage into a breeding room where I had 50 aquariums containing around 10,000 liters of water. At the moment, I have two aquariums: a 1,250-liter Tanganyika aquarium and a 250-liter community aquarium with plants. For the past 10 years, I have been working on this website as a writer and photographer.
Coby
Copyright images
J. de Lange
Peter Maguire
Jennifer O. Reynolds
