Cardinal Tetra

Overview

The Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a Freshwater (Tropical) fish growing to about 1.5–2 in and living 4–5 yrs. It's peaceful and best kept in a school of its own kind. Plan a tank of at least 20 gal. With a typical lifespan of around 5 years, it's a shorter commitment.

Is the Cardinal Tetra right for you?

A good match if — you like the look of a moving shoal and can keep a group; you want a calm community tank.

Think twice if — you only want a single fish.

What a Cardinal Tetra needs from you

The ongoing work is water quality: filtration, regular water changes and stable parameters. As a tropical fish it needs a stable, heated tank. This is a schooling fish — keep a group, never a lone individual. Don't undersize the tank (minimum about 20 gal).

Key facts

Water type

Freshwater (Tropical)

Scientific name

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Adult size

1.5–2 in

Life span

4–5 yrs

Temperament

peaceful

Social needs

schooling (6+)

Min. tank

20 gal

Care level

beginner-intermediate

Notes

Brighter than neon; prefers soft, warm water

What it needs from you (at a glance)

What it costs

Scaled to this breed’s roughly 10 g and a ~5-year life, keeping a Cardinal Tetra works out at about:

Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →

Temperament (at a glance)