🐟 Cardinal Tetra Paracheirodon axelrodi

The Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a moderate-care, peaceful species from Orinoco and Negro river basins. Adults reach roughly 2", so plan on a minimum tank of 15 gallons. Keep the water between 73–81°F with a pH of 4.5–6.5. This is a schooling fish — keep a group of at least 6 so it feels secure and colors up. As an omnivore, it does best on a varied diet appropriate to its feeding style.

At a glance

Good tankmates for Cardinal Tetra

Neon TetraRummynose TetraBlack Skirt TetraSerpae TetraGerman Blue RamBolivian RamApistogrammaKribensisZebra DanioHarlequin RasboraCherry BarbTiger BarbRosy BarbDwarf GouramiPearl GouramiBronze CoryPanda CoryOtocinclusKuhli LoachAmano ShrimpNerite SnailMarble HatchetfishBlack Neon TetraLemon TetraGlowlight TetraCongo TetraBloodfin TetraDiamond TetraBuenos Aires TetraEmperor TetraSilver Tip TetraX-Ray TetraGreen Neon TetraCelestial Pearl DanioLambchop RasboraScissortail RasboraPearl DanioGiant DanioGlowlight DanioGold BarbOdessa BarbCheckerboard BarbFive-Banded BarbNeon Dwarf RainbowfishThreadfin RainbowfishHoney GouramiSparkling GouramiChocolate GouramiKeyhole CichlidPygmy CorySterbai CoryJulii CoryGlass CatfishUpside-Down CatfishZebra LoachHillstream LoachBamboo ShrimpCrystal Red ShrimpGold TetraPenguin TetraRed Eye TetraFlame TetraBleeding Heart TetraColombian TetraGalaxy RasboraEmerald Eye RasboraAxelrod's RasboraLeopard DanioGold Ring DanioRuby BarbMelon BarbForktail Blue-eyeLicorice GouramiCroaking GouramiThick-Lipped GouramiPeaceful BettaStrawberry BettaGolden RamFlag AcaraYellow Dwarf CichlidAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidHongsloi CichlidCheckerboard CichlidEmerald CoryAlbino CoryThree-Striped CoryAdolfo's CoryHabrosus CoryZebra OtoDwarf Chain LoachLeopard Frog Pleco (L134)Zebra Pleco (L046)Bumblebee ShrimpLyretail KillifishClown KillifishAmerican Flagfish

Avoid these tankmates

AngelfishDiscusConvict CichlidOscarWhite Cloud MinnowPictus CatfishJack DempseyGreen TerrorTexas CichlidAuratus CichlidFrontosaChinese Algae EaterRed Tail SharkBlack Ghost KnifefishAfrican Butterfly FishRopefishSenegal BichirGolden Wonder KillifishCommon GoldfishRosy Red MinnowBucktooth TetraBanjar Red CichlidSalvini CichlidMidas CichlidFlowerhornRed Zebra CichlidVenustus CichlidLivingstonii CichlidCompressed CichlidCalvus CichlidTropheus Duboisi

See the full tankmate guide for Cardinal Tetra →