Live Freshwater Aquarium Cardinal Tetra 0.75-1.00in (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
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Unlimited Combined Shipping For Bettas & Guppy ADD as many as you like for $21.
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At Coast Gem USA, we take pride in shipping only the highest quality product to our customers. Our fish, plant are carefully selected for their excellent health, vibrant colors, and wide, full tails.
Cardinal Tetra For Sale | Paracheirodon axelrodi
Add vibrant color and beautiful schooling movement to your aquarium with the Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi). Known for its brilliant blue and red coloration that runs across the length of its body, the Cardinal Tetra is one of the most popular freshwater schooling fish for planted and community aquariums.
Cardinal Tetras are peaceful, active, and especially impressive when kept in groups. A school moving together through a planted aquarium creates a stunning display of color and makes these small fish a favorite among aquascapers and freshwater aquarium keepers.
Why Choose Cardinal Tetras?
- Brilliant blue and red coloration
- Peaceful schooling fish
- Excellent choice for planted aquariums
- Active and entertaining to watch
- Great community aquarium fish
- Beautiful contrast against green aquatic plants
- Best kept in groups for natural behavior
Cardinal Tetra Information
- Common Name: Cardinal Tetra
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
- Type: Freshwater Tetra
- Adult Size: Approximately 1.5–2 inches
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Care Level: Easy to Moderate
- Diet: Omnivore
- Swimming Level: Middle
- Minimum Aquarium: 15–20 gallons
- Best Kept: Groups of 6 or more
Cardinal Tetra Care
Cardinal Tetras do best in a mature, stable aquarium with clean water and plenty of swimming space. They are social schooling fish and should be kept in groups rather than individually.
A planted aquarium with driftwood, subdued lighting, and open swimming areas provides an excellent environment and can help bring out their vibrant natural coloration.
Recommended Water Parameters
- Temperature: 73–81°F
- pH: 5.0–7.5
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Keep low
- Water Flow: Low to moderate
Stable water quality and regular maintenance are important for keeping Cardinal Tetras healthy and active.
Feeding Cardinal Tetras
Cardinal Tetras are omnivores and readily accept a variety of small foods.
Recommended foods include:
- High-quality tropical flakes
- Nano pellets
- Micro pellets
- Frozen brine shrimp
- Frozen bloodworms
- Daphnia
- Baby brine shrimp
- Small live foods
Feed small portions once or twice daily, giving them only what they can consume within a few minutes.
Tank Mates
Cardinal Tetras are peaceful community fish and can be kept with many similarly sized, non-aggressive species.
Good tank mates include:
- Rummy Nose Tetras
- Neon Tetras
- Ember Tetras
- Harlequin Rasboras
- Chili Rasboras
- Corydoras
- Otocinclus
- Peaceful Gouramis
- Freshwater Shrimp
- Peaceful Snails
Avoid large, aggressive, or predatory fish that may eat or stress these small tetras.
Aquarium Setup
Cardinal Tetras look spectacular in a planted aquarium where their bright colors can stand out against natural greenery.
Recommended features include:
- Live aquatic plants
- Driftwood
- Darker substrate
- Open swimming areas
- Gentle water movement
- Stable filtration
- Shaded areas or floating plants
For the best schooling behavior, keep them in groups of at least 6. Larger schools can create an even more impressive display.
What You'll Receive
- Live Cardinal Tetra
- Carefully selected and professionally packed
- Shipped with Coast Gem USA's Live Arrival Guarantee
Add a brilliant splash of blue and red to your aquarium with Cardinal Tetras for sale from Coast Gem USA.
How to Acclimate Your New Fish & Shrimp
Proper acclimation helps reduce stress and gives your new aquatic animals the best possible start. Please follow the instructions below based on the type of livestock you purchased.
Goldfish
- Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to gradually equalize the temperature.
- Open the bag and add a small amount of aquarium water every 5 minutes for approximately 15–20 minutes.
- Gently transfer the goldfish into the aquarium using a clean net.
- Keep the aquarium lights off or dimmed for several hours while your new fish adjusts.
Important: Do not pour shipping water into your aquarium. Allow your goldfish time to settle before feeding.
Betta Fish
- Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize the temperature.
- Open the bag and slowly add small amounts of aquarium water over the next 10–15 minutes.
- Carefully transfer your betta into the aquarium without adding the shipping water.
- Keep the aquarium lights off or dimmed while your betta adjusts.
Important: Bettas may hide, rest, or appear less active after shipping. This can be normal after transportation. Give your betta time to settle into its new environment.
Guppies & Tropical Fish
- Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize the temperature.
- Open the bag and gradually add small amounts of aquarium water every few minutes for approximately 15–20 minutes.
- Gently transfer the fish into the aquarium using a clean net.
- Keep the aquarium lights off or dimmed for several hours to reduce stress.
Important: Do not pour shipping water into your aquarium. Make sure your aquarium is fully cycled and has appropriate water parameters for the species.
Freshwater Shrimp
Shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry, so a slower acclimation process is recommended.
- Float the sealed bag for 15–20 minutes to equalize the temperature.
- Transfer the shrimp and shipping water into a clean container.
- Slowly introduce aquarium water into the container. Drip acclimation for approximately 45–60 minutes is recommended.
- Once acclimated, gently net the shrimp and transfer them into the aquarium.
Important: Do not pour shipping water into your aquarium. Avoid sudden changes in temperature or water parameters.
After Acclimation
Keep aquarium lights off or dimmed for several hours after introducing your new livestock. Allow fish and shrimp time to settle before feeding, and avoid unnecessary handling or disturbances.
Never pour shipping water into your aquarium.
For best results, all livestock should be introduced into a properly cycled aquarium with stable water parameters.
Live Arrival Guarantee
Your fish is carefully packed and shipped to help ensure a safe arrival. We recommend being available to receive your package as soon as it is delivered.
Shipping:
Orders are carefully prepared and shipped according to our current shipping schedule. Tracking information is provided once your order ships.
Live Arrival Guarantee:
If there is an issue upon arrival, please follow our DOA claim instructions and contact us as soon as possible.
Live Freshwater Aquarium Cardinal Tetra 0.75-1.00in (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
10 FISH X $3.50
$35.00
Based on 1,300 Reviews By Customers
what people are saying...
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