Cardinal Tetra Fish Species Profile

Characteristics
Origin
Colors and Markings
Tankmates
Care
Diet and Feeding
Gender Differences
Breeding
Further Research

Arguably the most popular of the small tetras, the cardinal tetra is similar in appearance to a longtime aquarium favorite, the neon tetra. Cardinal tetras are an active schooling fish, and they live peacefully in a community aquarium. Although they are difficult to breed in captivity, tetras remain a very popular aquarium fish.

Characteristics

Species Overview

Common Names: Cardinal tetra, red neon, roter neon

Origin and Distribution

The rainforests that cover their waterways are usually very dense and let very little light through. Cardinal tetras favor these shaded areas with slow-moving or standing waters that are very clear. They live in large schools, and it is not unusual to find them in groups numbering into the hundreds. Their native habitat generally has extremely soft, acidic water, often with a pH of 5. They live in shoals, mainly in the middle water layers, where they feed on worms and small crustaceans.

Colors and Markings

The cardinal tetra has a brilliant neon blue stripe running from the nose to the tail. Below this blue stripe is a brilliant red stripe. The vivid red coloration bleeds into the tail, which is otherwise transparent, as are the other fins. The underbelly is a soft white, setting off this beautifully colored fish.

A cardinal tetra can be distinguished from a neon tetra by the red color band that extends the entire length of its body. In the neon tetra, the red band runs from only the mid-body to tail. Adults will display the best colors when provided with very soft, acidic water.

Tankmates

Cardinal tetras, like other tetra species, are a peaceful, social fish that should be kept in schools. Schools should be large, with a minimum size of a half-dozen fish. They are suitable for community tanks as long as water conditions are favorable and other species are peaceful.

Potential tankmates that may be suitable include other tetra species, danios, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, and small members of the catfish family, especially Corydoras catfish. Do not keep them with any fish that are known to eat smaller, slim-bodied fish. If the companion fish has a big enough mouth to swallow the cardinal tetra, it is not a suitable tank mate.

Cardinal Tetra Habitat and Care

Much like the neon tetra, this species requires a mature tank that has soft, acidic water. More importantly, water chemistry should be stable. This is not a species that does well in a newly started aquarium.

The ideal pH is below 6, and the hardness should not be above 4 dGH. Subjecting this species to water that has a high mineral content is a recipe for poor health and shortened lifespans. The water temperature can encompass a broader range, from 73 to 81 degrees F (23 to 27 degrees C).

Lighting should be subdued, as should the décor. Floating plants are a good means for moderating the lighting. Although they require some hiding spaces, it is important to provide cardinal tetras with open-water swimming area as well. A well-planted tank with an open center space is an ideal habitat for this species.

Cardinal Tetra Diet and Feeding

The cardinal tetra is an omnivorous species and will accept most commercial fish foods. These fish have high vitamin requirements, so at least 75 percent of their food should be quality flake food. Cardinal tetras especially appreciate live and frozen foods, but if fed them exclusively they may reject prepared food later on. If only doing one to two feedings a day, offer what they can eat in about five minutes. However, it is better to feed these fish several times a day, offering only what they can eat in about three minutes. All foods should be in small pieces as cardinals have a small mouth. When conditioning breeders, live foods are important.

Gender Differences

Males and females show few clear differences between the genders. Females will have a somewhat deeper body with a rounder belly, while males are more slender. Males also have a hook protruding from the anal fin.

Breeding the Cardinal Tetra

Breeding cardinal tetras is challenging at best. A separate breeding tank is important, and it must have stable water chemistry: a pH of 5.0 to 6.0, and very soft water of 3 to 5 dGH or below is essential. They will spawn in the evening, generally laying between 130 and 500 eggs. Spawning will continue even late into the night hours.

In approximately 24 hours, the eggs will hatch and the fry live off of their yolk sac for another four to five days. Once the fry are free swimming, feed them infusoria, rotifers, hardboiled egg yolk, or commercially prepared fry food. Follow this with freshly hatched brine shrimp as the fry grow. Lighting must be kept very low; use floating plants to ensure the tank remains dark. The young tetra fry are highly photo-sensitive. This species reaches a mature size of up to two inches in home aquaria.

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

The cardinal tetra is a tiny beauty, but it is also the strongest ambassador for preservation of the rainforest ecosystem. Breeding them can be tricky, but the wild-caught fish are robust and plentiful. If you are interested in similar species, check out:

Rasboras
Serpae tetras
Barbs

Check out additional fish species profiles for more information on other freshwater fish.

Characteristics#

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Origin and Distribution#

Colors and Markings#

Tankmates#

Cardinal Tetra Habitat and Care#

Cardinal Tetra Diet and Feeding#

Gender Differences#

Breeding the Cardinal Tetra#

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research#

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