Bony fish · Characiformes · Characidae

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

Not Evaluated

It has not yet been assessed against the IUCN criteria. See full glossary

The cardinal tetra is an ostariophysan characid ray-finned fish native to South America. It is a popular aquarium species, but many of the individuals sold are caught in the wild.

Size

up to 3 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

School

Gathers in coordinated schools, typical of fish.

Sighting difficulty

Unknown

FreshwaterCarnivore Diurnal In schools Fish Freshwater

12countries 7parks4same family

Fun facts

GeneralOne of the most exported aquarium fish in the world, out of the Amazon.
It is told apart from the neon tetra because the red band runs the whole length of its body, from nose to tail, and not just the rear half.
It is the most important ornamental fish on the world market: it accounts for more than 80 % of all aquarium fish exported each year from the Rio Negro.
Almost every individual in the trade is still taken from the wild, because captive breeding is not commercially viable.