Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

yoink

This is a common jumbo Tetra. Even though its recommended to keep them at a temp between 68-74 I've found they do fine all the way up to 80.

Pancake

These are also called Cardinal Tetras, you can tell the difference because the stripes go all the way to the tail. They do grow slighty bigger than your normal neon.

Kathy

I agree this fish is also called cardinal tetra. It is best to be kept in groups of ten if you have fairly large tank or more. I recomend that fish hobbyist out there should put in blackwater extract if u want to enhance the fish coloration.

Tripp

Cardinals are beautiful fish, mostly wild caught, and very fragile. They are very particular about water quality. If you purchase them be sure to acclimate them to your water slowly. Not recommended for beginners.

Jenny

This is a very nice fish and does well in groups of 5 or more in a 20 gallon tank or bigger with other community fish .

Larry

The key to acclimating these beautiful fish is to do it VERY slowly. I take two hours, floating the bag and adding water from the aquarium ever 10 minutes or so. I would do it longer if I had the patience. Once you give these beauties a chance to acclimate they will be robust feeders and arguably the most beautiful of the freshwater aquarium fishes. Also, don't feel bad about buying wild caught fish. It helps the preservation of the rainforest in that it provides jobs to people in the region and the collecting is strictly monitered by the Brazilian gov. Look up "Project Piaba" for more info.

aquatrippe

I've kept Cardinals for years successfully. I find that they can acclimate to hard water conditions, and prefer warm tempatures in the 80 degree range. The most important thing to keeping these fish alive is to have NO sudden changes in water quality. These fish are touchy. I do 20% h20 changes weekly.

Justin

snake

I keep a school of 15+ in an 82 degree discus tank with in hard water.
I do weekly 50% w/c and they seem to be the first fish out of the plants,apparently reacting to the nutrients stirred,triggering a feeding activity

lauraleellbp

Cardinal tetras are extremely hardy once they have been acclimated. However, most in the hobby are wild-caught and so have not only been exposed to pathogens, but with capture and handling stress are often in very poor shape by the time they get into a hobbyist's possession. I highly recommend both drip-acclimation plus a lengthy quarantine in 1/2tsp non-iodized salt per gallon, 2 weeks minimum. These fish are extremely susceptible to fungus and ich- do not buy them if any other fish in the LFS is displaying symptoms. They prefer higher temperatures than neon tetras, and are great dither fish with discus.