Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
A brilliantly coloured shoaling tetra whose red stripe runs the full length of the body, best kept in large groups in soft, warm, planted water.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 24 – 29 °C
- pH range
- 4.5 – 6.8
- Hardness
- 1 – 8 dGH
- Adult size
- 3 – 5 cm
- Min. tank size
- 80 litres+
- Lifespan
- 4 – 6 years
- Diet
- Micropredator — small frozen and dry foods
- Water flow
- Low
- Preferred setup
- Dim, heavily planted blackwater tank with leaf litter and wood
About the Cardinal Tetra
The Cardinal Tetra is the deeper-coloured relative of the Neon Tetra, distinguished by red that extends the whole body rather than just the rear half. It is slightly larger, prefers warmer water and is a little more demanding, so it suits an established tank rather than a first setup.
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Where Cardinal Tetra comes from
Native range
Northern South America, Upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins
Countries / regions
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Habitat
Shaded, tannin-stained blackwater streams and flooded forest margins with very soft, acidic water.
Illustrative native range only, not an occurrence dataset.
Similar species
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Green Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Corydoras
Corydoras spp.
Peaceful bottom dwellers that share the same warm, soft water and never compete for mid-water space.
- Great
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Similar size and temperament, and both shoal calmly in the same planted layout.
- Great
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Too large to be eaten by a Cardinal Tetra and occupies a different part of the tank.
- Compatible with caution
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
Parameters match, but an adult Angelfish will eat small tetras; only viable in a large, well-planted tank with adult tetras.
- Not recommended
Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Small enough to be taken by an adult cichlid of this size.
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