Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Characidae
About
The cardinal tetra is a dazzling blackwater characin from the Rio Negro and Orinoco drainages of South America. It differs from the similar neon tetra in that the red stripe runs the full length of the body. It demands warm, very soft, acidic water to truly thrive long-term, making it slightly more challenging than the neon. A peaceful, tightly shoaling fish that looks spectacular in large groups against dark substrate and dense planting.
Care
Provide warm (24–27 °C), very soft, acidic water and keep in shoals of 6+ (ideally 10+). Best suited to mature, softwater or blackwater-style tanks.
Diet
Omnivorous micro-predator; feed small dry foods plus regular frozen and live micro-foods for colour and condition.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (38)
Avoid (13)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.