Individual Fish Description Page
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Paracheirdon Axelrodi
Classification
- Order: Cypriniformes
- Sub-order: Characoidei
- Super-Family: Characidoidea
- Family: Characidae
- Genera: Paracheirdon
Common name
Cardinal Tetra
Distribution
Northern South America, Venezuela, through Brazil Into
Eastern Colombia. Found in thr tributaries of the rio Negro
and the Orinoco river.
General Body Form
This species is more elongated than the Neon Tetra. Which
it otherwise resembles in shape.These fish can reach a
length of about one and one half inches. Sexually mature
females are more stocky than males and are generally a
little longer.
Coloration
The fins have no color and the upper-side is a
Brownish-Red. A wide single stripe extends along each side
of the fish from the upper parts of the eye to just below
the Adipose fin. This stripe can appear Sea-Green,
Yellow-Green or Turquoise-Blue, depending on the angle that
the light hits it. Below this stripe is a wide bright Red
band that can be seen on the lower half of the body ,
running from the underside of the mouth including the
throat, and all the way back to the base of the Caudal fin.
This fish is often confused with the Neon Tetra, but in the
Neon the bright Red band is shorter, only running to the
middle of the body.
Maintenance
A somewhat delicate fish that is sensitive to water
conditions. The tank should be a planted aquarium, with
some floating plants to cut down on the light intensity. A
darker substrate material will bring out the Cardinals
colors best. Tankmates should consist only of other
peaceful species,with no Cichlids. A temperature of 70 to
73 degrees F (21 to 30 c.) should be maintained and water
of middle hardness to soft is recommended.
Breeding
Soft water, with 1 - 2o of hardness, Ph of 5.0 -
6.0 and a water temperature of about 75 f. Use Java moss or
a synthetic substitute over the bottom of the tank and
reduce the lighting. Cardinals usually spawn at twilight.
The male embraces the female when spawning and about 500
eggs are scattered among the Java moss. Remove the parents.
The eggs hatch in about 24 hours and the fry are
free-swimming in about five days. Feed the young on
Infusoria and later on , newly hatched Brine Shrimp. The
Cardinal is not easily bred and most speciamens are still
imported from their native waters.

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