Cardinal Tetra

General information

Cardinal Tetras are a small, brightly colored freshwater fish native to South America, specifically the Amazon basin. They have a distinctive bright red stripe running down their bodies, with a contrasting blue-green iridescent band below it. The average size of an adult Cardinal Tetra is about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in length. These fish are popular in the aquarium hobby due to their vibrant coloration, peaceful temperament, and small size.

Cardinal Tetras are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods in the wild, including small invertebrates, insect larvae, and algae. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of high-quality flake or pellet food supplemented with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.

It can be difficult to differentiate between male and female Cardinal Tetras, as they are similar in appearance. However, females tend to be slightly rounder and have a slightly larger belly, while males are slimmer and have a more pronounced red stripe.

Cardinal Tetras are egg scatterers and will lay their eggs among fine-leaved plants or a spawning mop. The parents should be separated from the eggs after spawning to prevent them from eating them. The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry will become free-swimming after another 4-5 days. The fry can be fed infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Cardinal Tetras are susceptible to common fish diseases such as Ich, Velvet, and Fungal infections. They are also sensitive to poor water conditions, so it's important to maintain good water quality in their aquarium.

Cardinal Tetras are native to the South American Amazon basin, specifically Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.

Cardinal Tetras are peaceful fish and should not be housed with aggressive species. They should also be kept in a well-maintained aquarium with appropriate water parameters, as they are sensitive to poor water quality.

Cardinal Tetras should be slowly acclimated to their new aquarium water to prevent shock. Float the bag of fish in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to equalize the temperature, then open the bag and add a small amount of the aquarium water to the bag every 10-15 minutes. After about an hour, the fish can be safely released into the aquarium.