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Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Here is a complete and detailed care guide for the Cardinal Tetra โ€“ a stunning freshwater species prized for its vibrant colors and peaceful nature.


๐ŸŸ Cardinal Tetra โ€“ Full Details & Care Guide


โœ… Common Names:

  • Cardinal Tetra

  • Red Neon Tetra (commonly confused with Neon Tetra)


๐Ÿ”ฌ Scientific Classification:

Category Detail
Scientific Name Paracheirodon axelrodi
Family Characidae
Origin Amazon River Basin โ€“ Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia

๐ŸŽจ Appearance:

Feature Description
Color Bright iridescent blue stripe across the body, with a vivid red stripe running from the head to the tail (unlike Neon Tetra, where red starts mid-body)
Size 1.5 โ€“ 2 inches (3.8 โ€“ 5 cm)
Lifespan 4 โ€“ 5 years (up to 7 years with good care)
Sexual Dimorphism Females are slightly plumper and rounder than males

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Water Parameters:

Parameter Ideal Range
Temperature 23ยฐC โ€“ 28ยฐC (73ยฐF โ€“ 82ยฐF)
pH Level 4.5 โ€“ 6.5 (soft, acidic water)
Hardness 1 โ€“ 6 dGH
Water Type Freshwater

๐Ÿก Tank Setup:

Feature Recommendations
Tank Size Minimum 15โ€“20 gallons
School Size 6 or more (10+ preferred)
Substrate Dark sand or gravel enhances color contrast
Aquascape Dense live plants (Amazon sword, Java fern, Anubias), leaf litter, and driftwood
Lighting Low to moderate (brings out colors)
Filtration Gentle flow with high-quality filtration
Tank Lid Yes โ€“ they can jump occasionally

๐Ÿง  Temperament & Behavior:

Trait Description
Temperament Very peaceful, non-aggressive
Behavior Active schooling fish
Swimming Level Middle levels of the tank
Compatibility Great for calm community tanks

๐Ÿค Ideal Tank Mates:

โœ… Compatible With โŒ Avoid With
Neon Tetras, Rummy Nose Tetras Large cichlids, Oscars
Corydoras, Otocinclus Aggressive or fin-nippers
Guppies, Rasboras, Harlequin Rasbora Fast, dominant feeders
Dwarf Gouramis, Amano Shrimp Betta fish (with caution)

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Feeding:

Type Examples
Flake Food High-quality micro flakes
Pellets Micro pellets for small fish
Live/Frozen Brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia
Vegetable-Based Spirulina-based flakes, blanched greens (occasionally)
  • Feed 1โ€“2 times per day in small amounts

  • Avoid overfeeding to prevent water quality issues


๐Ÿฃ Breeding Cardinal Tetras:

Feature Description
Spawning Type Egg scatterers
Breeding Tank Setup Soft, acidic water (pH 4.5โ€“5.5), temp around 26ยฐC, low light
Spawning Behavior Occurs at dawn โ€“ eggs are scattered among plants
Parental Care None โ€“ remove adults after spawning
Egg Hatch Time 24โ€“36 hours
Fry Feeding Infusoria or liquid fry food โ†’ baby brine shrimp

Breeding Cardinal Tetras in captivity is more difficult than Neon Tetras due to their stricter water requirements.


๐Ÿงผ Care Tips:

  • โœ”๏ธ Always keep in groups to reduce stress and encourage natural behavior

  • โœ”๏ธ Maintain stable, soft, acidic water

  • โœ”๏ธ Do regular water changes (25โ€“30% weekly)

  • โœ”๏ธ Avoid sudden temperature or pH fluctuations

  • โœ”๏ธ Quarantine new fish before introducing to tank


๐Ÿ“‹ Quick Summary:

Feature Info
Scientific Name Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common Name Cardinal Tetra
Size 1.5 โ€“ 2 inches
Temperament Peaceful
Care Level Moderate
Lifespan 4 โ€“ 5 years
Diet Omnivorous
Tank Level Middle
Best For Planted community aquariums

๐ŸŒŸ Key Differences: Cardinal vs. Neon Tetra

Feature Cardinal Tetra Neon Tetra
Red Stripe Runs full body Starts mid-body to tail
Size Slightly larger (up to 2") Smaller (up to 1.5")
pH Tolerance Prefers lower pH (4.5โ€“6.5) Tolerates slightly higher (6.0โ€“7.0)
Care Level Moderate Easy

๐Ÿชท Best Display Tip:

Cardinal Tetras look stunning in heavily planted tanks with driftwood, subdued lighting, and a school of 10 or more. Their neon red and blue hues shine beautifully in dark, calm aquariums.



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Orders are normally Shipped within 1-2 days and usually take 2-5 working days to be delivered based on your location. However, you will receive an approximate timeline when you place your order.

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