Explore the Vibrant World of Cardinal Tetras

Origin and Distribution

Originating in South America, this species is discovered from the Orinoco River to the Rio Negro tributary of the Amazon River. It’s discovered as far west as western Colombia. Different places have additionally reported faculties of cardinals, possible comprised of fish which have escaped from collectors. Manaus, in northern Brazil, is one such location the place clusters of cardinals have made themselves at residence. Since overfishing this quick-replenishing species could be almost unimaginable, Challenge Piaba’s “Purchase a Fish, Save a Tree” mission has turn into a UN international mannequin for sustainable wild fisheries designed to protect rainforest habitats.

The rainforests that cowl their waterways are normally very dense and let little or no mild by. Cardinal tetras favor these shaded areas with slow-moving or standing waters which can be very clear. They dwell in giant faculties, and it’s not uncommon to search out them in teams numbering into the tons of. Their native habitat usually has extraordinarily delicate, acidic water, typically with a pH of 5. They dwell in shoals, primarily within the center water layers, the place they feed on worms and small crustaceans.

Colours and Markings

The cardinal tetra has an excellent neon blue stripe operating from the nostril to the tail. Under this blue stripe is an excellent pink stripe. The vivid pink coloration bleeds into the tail, which is in any other case clear, as are the opposite fins. The underbelly is a delicate white, setting off this superbly coloured fish.

A cardinal tetra may be distinguished from a neon tetra by the pink coloration band that extends the whole size of the physique. Within the neon tetra, the pink band runs from solely mid-body to tail. Adults will show the perfect colours when supplied with very delicate, acidic water. 

There are additionally cardinal tetra varieties which have distinguishing options:

• Gold cardinal tetra: These fish have a extra golden or opal physique coloration that isn’t as vibrant however is simply as stunning.
• Albino cardinal tetra: These tetras are clear, with eyes which can be pink or purple, and their distinctive pink and blue stripes usually are not as vibrant.

Tankmates

Cardinal tetras, like different tetra species, are peaceable, social fish that must be saved in faculties. Colleges must be giant, with a minimal measurement of a half-dozen fish. They’re appropriate for neighborhood tanks so long as water situations are favorable and different species are peaceable.

Potential tank mates that could be appropriate embrace:

• Different tetra species, such because the flame tetra and glowlight tetra
• Danios
• Rasboras, such because the harlequin rasbora and scissortail rasbora
• Dwarf gouramis
• Small members of the catfish household, particularly Corydoras catfish

Don’t maintain them with any fish which can be identified to eat smaller, slim-bodied fish. If the companion fish has a large enough mouth to swallow the cardinal tetra, it’s not an appropriate tank mate.

Cardinal Tetra Habitat and Care

Very like the neon tetra, this species requires a mature tank that has delicate, acidic water. Extra importantly, water chemistry must be steady. This isn’t a species that does effectively in a newly began aquarium.

The best pH is beneath 6, and the hardness shouldn’t be above 4 dGH. Subjecting this species to water that has a excessive mineral content material is a recipe for poor well being and shortened lifespans. The water temperature can embody a broader vary, from 73 to 81 F (23 to 27 C).

Lighting must be subdued, as ought to the décor. Floating crops are an excellent means for moderating the lighting. Though they require some hiding areas, you will need to present cardinal tetras with open-water swimming space as effectively. A well-planted tank with an open heart area is a perfect habitat for this species.  

Cardinal Tetra Food regimen and Feeding

The cardinal tetra is an omnivorous species and can settle for most business fish meals. These fish have excessive vitamin necessities, so not less than 75% of their meals must be high quality flake meals. Cardinal tetras particularly recognize dwell and frozen meals, but when fed them completely they could reject ready meals afterward.

If solely doing one to 2 feedings a day, supply what they will eat in about 5 minutes. Nevertheless, it’s higher to feed these fish a number of occasions a day, providing solely what they will eat in about three minutes. All meals must be in small items, as cardinals have a small mouth. When conditioning breeders, dwell meals are necessary.

Gender Variations

Men and women present few clear variations between the genders. Females may have a considerably deeper physique with a rounder stomach, whereas males are extra slender. Males even have a hook protruding from the anal fin.

Breeding the Cardinal Tetra

Breeding cardinal tetras is difficult at greatest. A separate breeding tank is necessary, and it will need to have steady water chemistry: a pH of 5.0 to six.0 and really delicate water of three to five dGH or beneath are important. They may spawn within the night, usually laying between 130 and 500 eggs. Spawning will proceed even late into the night time hours.

In roughly 24 hours, the eggs hatch, and the fry dwell off of their yolk sac for one more 4 to 5 days. As soon as the fry are free swimming, feed them infusoria, rotifers, hardboiled egg yolk, or commercially ready fry meals. Comply with this with freshly hatched brine shrimp because the fry develop. Lighting have to be saved very low; use floating crops to make sure the tank stays darkish. The younger tetra fry are extremely photosensitive.  

This species reaches a mature measurement of as much as 2 inches in residence aquaria.

Extra Pet Fish Species and Additional Analysis

The cardinal tetra is a tiny magnificence, however it is usually the strongest ambassador for preservation of the rainforest ecosystem. Breeding them may be tough, however the wild-caught fish are strong and plentiful. In case you are fascinated about related species, try:

• Buenos Aires tetra
• Serpae tetra
• Rosy barb​​

Try extra fish species profiles for extra data on different freshwater fish.