Description

The Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a popular freshwater aquarium fish, renowned for its striking iridescent blue and red stripes that extend the full length of its body. Native to the Amazon River basin in South America, specifically the Negro and Orinoco River basins in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, they thrive in slow-moving, shaded blackwater or clearwater streams rich with vegetation and leaf litter. To successfully keep Cardinal Tetras in an aquarium, recreate their natural habitat by providing a tank of at least 20 gallons with soft, acidic water, subdued lighting, a stable temperature between 73 and 82°F, and a dark substrate. They are schooling fish, so a minimum of six individuals should be kept together to maintain their social structures and reduce stress. Cardinal Tetras are peaceful and can coexist with other small, non-aggressive fish like Rasboras and Corydoras catfish, though larger, more aggressive tank mates should be avoided. A varied diet consisting of high-quality flakes or pellets supplemented with live or frozen foods like daphnia or brine shrimp will ensure their health and vibrant coloration. While breeding them can be challenging, it is possible by establishing a separate breeding tank with very soft, acidic water and dimmed lighting. This fish does not ship individually bagged.

Common Name: Cardinal Tetra
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
Country of Import: Czech Republic
Prophylactic Treatment: Erythromycin / Ich-X / Metro
Approximate Current Size: 1" - 1.25" each
Temp/pH/TDS: 75F / 6.5 pH / 100

Please be aware that all fish are sold on a BUY THIS WEEK, SHIP NEXT WEEK basis, and fish are shipped only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Weekly shipping cutoff is EVERY SATURDAY at 12 Noon Pacific US Time. All fish are shipped via UPS Next Day Air. Minimum order is $50.00 (excluding shipping) and all orders to the lower 48 US States qualify for FLAT RATE $60.00 shipping via UPS Next Day Air. Hawaii and Alaska State Residents: Please contact us if you would like to purchase Live Animals for delivery.

When you place your order, you will be required to agree to our Terms & Conditions of Sale

Warranty Information

All Live Fish are delivered via UPS Next Day Air and are covered by our DOA Protection Guarantee with the following terms

1. All sales are final and no return of goods is possible
2. The shipping cutoff each week is Saturday at 12 Noon, Pacific US Time
3. We reserve the right to delay the shipping of Live Animal orders due to inclement weather and/or other unforeseen incidents; if dangerous weather conditions or other impactful incidents occur, we may delay the shipping of your Live Animals. Customers who wish to cancel their orders under these conditions may do so with a 10% cancellation fee
4. All Live Animals are sold on a Purchase This Week, Ship Next Week basis, and orders are shipped out on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of the week after sale. Tracking numbers are automatically sent to customers via email notification when orders are shipped
5. Once an order is placed, it may be cancelled and refunded upon customer request, however a 10% cancellation fee will apply
6. The minimum order amount for Live Animal orders is $50.00 (USD); we reserve the right to cancel and refund Live Animals orders with subtotals of less than $50.00 (USD)
7. All animals sold are slightly variable in size, color, pattern, and in overall appearance, and may differ from this website's photograph(s) of the animal
8. Live Animals delivered with UPS Next Day Air are covered against Dead-On-Arrivals if the following conditions are met:
   a. Live Animal shipments must be delivered on the first delivery attempt; if for any reason Live Animals were not delivered to you on the carrier’s first delivery attempt, then there is no guarantee against Dead-On-Arrival animals in your shipment and no refund will be issued
   b. Live Animals must be delivered to the original delivery address entered when the order was placed; if an alternate address is chosen and communicated to the carrier by the customer or customer agent, then there is no guarantee against Dead-On-Arrival animals in your shipment and no refund will be issued
   c. In the very unlikely event that Dead-On-Arrival Animals are received in a shipment delivered via UPS Next Day Air, the customer must begin the Dead-On-Arrival claim process by informing us through our website within two (2) hours of the electronically registered delivery receipt of the Live Animal package
   d. All Dead-On-Arrival Claims must accompany photographs clearly showing the Deceased Animal still heat-sealed in the plastic bag that it was originally shipped in, and the photographs must be provided to us during the Dead-On-Arrival Claim Process. Any Dead-On-Arrival Claim which does not also include required photographs will be denied and no refund will be issued
   e. If Dead-On-Arrival Animals are received via UPS Next Day Air but are not reported to us within the first two hours of the electronically registered delivery receipt, then there will be no refunds issued; our Dead-On-Arrival warranty period for Live Animals ends two hours after the Live Animals have been delivered to you, and any claims made to us outside of this strict two-hour claim window will be denied
   f. No other warranty or guarantee applies to Live Animal purchases
9. Shipping Fees paid to us are forwarded to UPS to pay for your Live Animal shipment, and as such, shipping fees are not refundable
10. All refunds are issued in the form of store credit