TETRA – CARDINAL ALBINO / GOLD
Paracheirodon axelrodi

$7.99

The Cardinal Tetra is a delicate and elegant fish that brings undeniable beauty to the freshwater aquarium. Native to forest streams and tributaries in Brazil, many Cardinal tetras available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced. The Albino or Gold Cardinal tetra is an aquacultured color mutation lacking darker pigments and are somewhat hardier than their wild counterparts. The Cardinal tetra has a slender elongated body, with a bright blue-green stripe and red stripe that runs the length of it. These characters distinguish it from the closely related Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). Cardinal tetras are natural schooling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals but the more the merrier when it comes to this species. A larger group of Cardinal tetra does make for a bigger statement! An adult Cardinal tetra can reach a size of approximately 1.5″.

Out of stock

Description

Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Cardinal Tetra is a delicate and elegant fish that brings undeniable beauty to the freshwater aquarium. Native to forest streams and tributaries in Brazil, many Cardinal tetras available within the aquarium trade are commercially produced. The Albino or Gold Cardinal tetra is an aquacultured color mutation lacking darker pigments and are somewhat hardier than their wild counterparts. The Cardinal tetra has a slender elongated body, with a bright blue-green stripe and red stripe that runs the length of it. These characters distinguish it from the closely related Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi). Cardinal tetras are natural schooling fish, requiring at least 8 to 10 individuals but the more the merrier when it comes to this species. A larger group of Cardinal tetra does make for a bigger statement! An adult Cardinal tetra can reach a size of approximately 1.5″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Cardinal tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: An extremely established minimum 10 to 15 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Cardinal tetra. While these tetra are small, a larger aquarium provides a more stable environment. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger group. Cardinal tetras are very intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes, and will not endure deteriorating water parameters. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters pristine (Nitrates < 15 ppm). Given the environments in which they come from, Cardinal tetra like gentle water flow, softer water and a more acidic pH. The aquarium should be aquascaped with a fine substrate, driftwood and dense vegetation (artificial or live, though live plants are preferred). Cardinal tetra would also benefit from some floating plants to dim the lighting. Cardinal tetras are extremely peaceful and rarely conflict with tank mates. Their timid nature, however, may make them not suitable for community aquariums that have overly rambunctious or competitive species. Mix Cardinal tetra with other peaceful shoaling tetra and rasbora species to provide them with security. In the wild, Cardinal tetra are observed around non-predatory dwarf cichlids, such as German blue rams or apistogrammas. Given that Cardinal tetra are always out and about, they serve as a good “dither” fish for more shy fish species. Extra care should be taken acclimating Cardinal tetras. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 2-8, pH 5.5-7.0.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1”

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.

Shipping & Delivery

Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.

For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.