Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
What you need to keep a Cardinal Tetra
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pH
5.5–7
Temperature
23–28 °C
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Cardinal Tetra.
What Cardinal Tetra costs in South Africa
17 price points from 10 shops over 90 days
R25
cheapest of 9 shops today
SA median R50 across 10 shops over the last 90 days.
10 shops
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
Similar to the Neon Tetra, the Cardinal Tetra boasts a more extensive red stripe that runs the full length of its body. They are slightly larger and prefer warmer, softer water, making them a stunning centerpiece school. Cardinals are best kept in large groups to showcase their brilliant coloration and natural behaviors.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Cardinal Tetra healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
Size the aquarium to Cardinal Tetra's adult size and activity level. Provide hiding spots and stable, well-filtered water; it suits a community setup.
Water parameters
Keep pH 5.5–7 and 23–28°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Omnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Peaceful. Keep it in a group for natural behaviour.
Tankmates
Choose tankmates of similar size and temperament with the same water needs. Avoid fin-nippers and anything large enough to eat it.
Breeding
Breeding success with Cardinal Tetra depends on the line and water chemistry; ask your shop about proven pairs.
Settling this fish in?
Condition the tap water, seed the filter, test through the first weeks — most early losses trace back to one of those.
10% off your first order, no code, at checkout
Availability confirmed with the distributor before dispatch · free delivery over r750
Community photos
From hobbyists across SA.
Market intelligence
Price trends and buyer demand — data only FishHub tracks.
Price history — last 90 days
SA price range this month: R35–60 · Average: R48
This data is unique to FishHub
Demand by province
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