Cardinal tetra size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).

Cardinal tetra tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Cardinal tetra water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–30 °C, pH 4.8–7.0, hardness 1–8 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Cardinal tetra tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 69 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Lemon tetra, Penguin tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.

FreshwaterIn the market80 coinsCommon

Cardinal tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

A looser swimmer than the neon; red runs its whole body and reddens the tank.

The Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae. Adults grow to about 4.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 24–30 °C.

Size: 4.5 cm
Smallest tank: 60 cm
Temperature: 24–30 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–30 °C

pH4.8–7.0

Hardness1–8 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 8 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres26 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres72 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres120 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres260 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres480 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres576 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along69 species

and 45 more species

Caution17 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together13 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Aquarium trade: Very common

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCharaciformes
FamilyAcestrorhamphidae
GenusParacheirodon
SpeciesParacheirodon axelrodi
Described bySchultz, 1956

In other languages

German: Roter Neon
Spanish: Pez Cardenal
French: Neon
Dutch: Kardinaaltetra
Turkish: Kardinal Tetra
Russian: Krasnyi neon
Chinese: 阿氏霓虹脂鯉

Quick answers

Cardinal tetra size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 4.5 cm. Record sizes among the 13 Acestrorhamphidae species on LumaReef: 2 cm (Ember tetra) to 7.5 cm (Black skirt tetra).
Cardinal tetra tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Cardinal tetra water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–30 °C, pH 4.8–7.0, hardness 1–8 °dGH. Close to what most Acestrorhamphidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Cardinal tetra tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 69 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Lemon tetra, Penguin tetra, and Harlequin rasbora.
Cardinal tetra: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 8 together.
Cardinal tetra and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.