Freshwater
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Acestrorhamphidae, Megalamphodinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 2.5 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- At least 6 together
- Smallest aquarium
- 16 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Missing
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Water values
Smallest tank
16 liters25 × 25 × 25 cm · For 6 fish
Worked out from its length, as we don’t yet know what size tank it should have. Do you? Sign up and tell us in the app.
Try other measures in the appNative
Lives wild in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Videos
Amazon Tropical River Underwater Stock Video Footage 21
MikoljiMar 31, 2013
Swimming with Paracheirodon axelrodi Cardinal Tetras Mikolji
MikoljiMay 31, 2007
Paracheirodon axelrodi Cardinal Tetras
MikoljiSep 6, 2006
Paracheirodon axelrodi #shorts
Oliver KnottApr 14, 2025
Tank mates
More about the species
About the species
Occurs mainly in shoals in the middle water layers. Feeds on worms and small crustaceans. Breeding in captivity is possible but difficult and most specimens in the aquarium trade are caught in the tributaries of the Rio Negro and Orinoco. Eggs hatch in 24 to 30 hours and fry are free-swimming after 3 to 4 days in captivity. One of the most popular and beautiful aquarium fishes. Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm.
Source: FishBase
Other names
Other scientific names
- Cheirodon axelrodi
- Hyphessobrycon cardinalis
In other languages
- Kardinaltetra
- Kardinaltetra
- Rød neon
- Kardinaalitetra
- Neon, Neon tetra, Red neon, Scarlet characin
Articles
All articles
How many fish can I keep?4 min read
Why "one cm of fish per liter" falls short, and what adult size, schools, territory and swimming zones mean for how many fish a tank can hold.
How to set up a South American aquarium4 min read
Soft, acidic water, subdued light, sand, roots and fallen leaves: how to set up a biotope aquarium from the Amazon and the rivers around it.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.