{"product_id":"cardinal-tetra-paracheirodon-axelrodi","title":"Cardinal Tetra | Paracheirodon axelrodi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Cardinal Tetra is the jewel of the planted aquarium — an unbroken blaze of neon blue and deep red running the full length of its body. Peaceful and dazzling, it shines brightest in a big shoal in soft, dark, gently lit water. A small fish, reaching only about 5cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the blackwater rivers and flooded forests of the upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins in South America. These are warm, very soft, acidic, tannin-stained waters with little mineral content — the \"blackwater\" conditions that bring out its best colour and health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slim, streamlined tetra whose iridescent blue-green stripe is matched below by a band of brilliant red running all the way to the tail — distinguishing it from the similar neon tetra, whose red is only on the rear half. In a large group under subdued light the effect is electric.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and strictly a schooling fish. Keep in a group of at least eight to ten, ideally many more, to see natural shoaling and reduce stress. It suits a calm community of other small, peaceful soft-water species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA micro-predator and omnivore. Offer small, quality flake and micro-pellets plus regular small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp and micro-worm. Small, frequent feeds keep the colours strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest in soft, slightly acidic water (they are sensitive to hardness and to sudden chemistry changes), warm at 24–28°C, with gentle filtration and a heavily planted, shaded tank. Acclimatise new fish slowly. Stable, mature water is important, as this species dislikes newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChallenging. It is an egg-scatterer needing very soft, acidic water and dim light; eggs and fry are light-sensitive. Adults do not guard and will eat the eggs, so a separate, dimly lit breeding tank with the right chemistry is required for success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParacheirodon axelrodi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCardinal Tetra\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUpper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (schooling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner–Intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1–8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted, soft-water community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther peaceful soft-water fish such as small rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma, corydoras, otocinclus and peaceful shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive fish, fin-nippers, anything big enough to eat them, and boisterous hard-water species.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232816546083,"sku":"AA1538","price":8.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Cardinal_Tetra.jpg?v=1781483459","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cardinal-tetra-paracheirodon-axelrodi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}