Scientific name:
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common names:
Cardinal tetra, red neon tetra, scarlet characin
Distribution:
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Size:
2 inches
Life expectancy:
4–5 years
Color:
Bright coloring, red, iridescent blue stripe
Diet:
Omnivore
Temperament:
Peaceful
Minimum tank size:
20 gallons
Temperature:
73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH:
4.6–6.2
Hardness:
Up to 4 dGH
Care level:
Intermediate
Breeding:
Egg layers
Origin
The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is native to the Orinoco and Negro River drainages in South America, which span across Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Cardinal tetras inhabit blackwater creeks and tributaries in the wild. These bodies of water are soft, acidic, and colored black from the tannins of decaying leaves.
The cardinal tetra is prolific in the wild, and most cardinal tetras in the pet trade are wild-caught