Cardinal Tetra

🐟 Cardinal Tetra (Cardinal Tetra)

Bring intense colour and elegant movement to your aquarium with the stunning Cardinal Tetra. Famous for its vivid full-length neon stripe and deep red body, this species is one of the most visually striking small schooling fish available, creating a glowing shoal effect in planted and community aquariums.

Peaceful, active, and highly decorative, Cardinal Tetras are a premium choice for aquarists wanting maximum colour impact in a small fish.

🌿 Why Choose Cardinal Tetras?

🔵 Brilliant neon blue stripe running the full body length
🔴 Deep, rich red coloration (more intense than Neon Tetras)
🐟 Beautiful synchronized schooling behaviour
🌿 Perfect for planted, blackwater, and natural aquascapes
⭐ High-impact colour in a small, peaceful fish

When kept in a proper shoal, Cardinal Tetras create a glowing ribbon of blue and red that moves gracefully through the midwater, especially under soft or dim lighting.

📏 Care Requirements

🧬 Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
📛 Common Name: Cardinal Tetra
🏠 Tank Size: 60L+ recommended
📏 Adult Size: ~4–5 cm
🌡️ Temperature: 24–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 4.5–7.0 (slightly acidic preferred)
🧘 Temperament: Peaceful
🍽️ Diet: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen and live foods
👥 Group Size: 10–12+ strongly recommended

Cardinal Tetras thrive in warm, stable, softly filtered aquariums with planted areas and subdued lighting that enhances their natural coloration.

🐠 Compatibility

Excellent for peaceful community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include Corydoras, small rasboras, dwarf gouramis, and other non-aggressive species. Avoid large or predatory fish.

⚠️ Important Notes

Cardinal Tetras are more sensitive than Neon Tetras and require stable, well-maintained water conditions. They are a true shoaling species and should always be kept in larger groups to reduce stress and enhance natural behaviour.

The Cardinal Tetra is a top-tier choice for UK aquarists seeking a vibrant, elegant schooling fish that delivers intense colour and constant motion in planted aquariums.