Description
Cardinal Tetra
Cardinal Tetras are one of the most striking freshwater nano fish, known for their brilliant neon blue stripe and vibrant red body that runs from nose to tail. Their peaceful schooling behavior and constant movement make them a beautiful centerpiece for planted aquariums.
These colorful fish thrive in well-maintained aquariums with stable water conditions and plenty of plants. When kept in groups, they display their best colors and natural schooling behavior, making them a favorite among both beginner and experienced aquarists.
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
Common Names: Cardinal Tetra
Size: Grows up to 2 inches (5 cm)
Color: Bright neon blue stripe with vibrant red lower body
Lifespan: 3ā5 years with proper care
Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons (best kept in groups of 6 or more)
Temperature: 74ā82°F (23ā28°C)
Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish
Diet: Omnivorous; enjoys nano pellets, flakes, frozen foods, and baby brine shrimp
Care Tips:
⢠Keep in groups to reduce stress and promote schooling behavior
⢠Provide plants and darker substrate to enhance coloration
⢠Maintain stable water parametersāCardinals can be sensitive to sudden changes
⢠Feed small foods appropriate for nano fish
⢠Best kept with other peaceful community species
Ideal For:
⢠Planted aquariums
⢠Peaceful community tanks
⢠Nano fish enthusiasts
⢠Beginner and experienced aquarists
Add a school of Cardinal Tetras to your aquarium and enjoy their stunning colors and mesmerizing schooling behavior that brings life and movement to any freshwater tank.
Fish Quarantine Process
At 10 Gallon Fish Tanks, we take the health of our fish seriously. Every fish we bring in undergoes a strict 2-4 week quarantine process to ensure they are free of parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial diseases before being introduced to our main tanks.
During this quarantine period, fish are treated with the āMed Trioā as needed:
ā¢Ā ParacleanseĀ ā Targets internal & External parasites like worms and protozoans. Things like fish lice, tapeworms, hole in the head, skin and gill flukes.
ā¢Ā Ich-XĀ ā Treats external parasites and fungus. Treats Ich and white spot disease.
ā¢Ā MaracynĀ ā An antibiotic that combats bacterial infections, preventing issues like fin rot, skin redness, open wounds, swollen eyes etc.
This quarantine protocol ensures that every fish we sell are healthy, acclimated to Tennessee water, and ready to thrive in their new home.
Water Parameters for Healthy Fish
To help you achieve the best results when acclimating your new fish, weāve included a photo showing the exact water parameters we maintain in our tanks. These values are carefully monitored and kept stable, ensuring that each fish grows and thrives in a healthy, natural environment.
By following these parameters at home, you can provide the smoothest transition possible for your fish, helping them settle in quickly and comfortably. Weāre dedicated to setting you up for success with your new fish, and sharing these details is part of our commitment to their health and your enjoyment.

Shipping Information:
- Our fish, shrimp, & snails are carefully packaged in breathable bags.
- The shipping box is well-insulated to maintain optimal conditions. In most cases, additional heating or cooling packs are not necessary. However, to ensure the health and survival of the fish, shrimp, & snails it is essential that they are brought indoors promptly upon arrival, particularly in extreme weather conditions (either hot or cold). Please monitor the tracking number for updates on the estimated delivery time.
- We ship on Mondays (unless you have a special requested shipping time) with all orders processed by 10 AM. We currently only ship within the United States.
- If there are extreme weather conditions, we may postpone shipments until weather is better to make sure your shrimp arrive safely.
- In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival), we will refund the cost of the fish, shrimp, or snail provided that a photograph of the deceased animal, is still in the packaging, and is submitted within 1 hour of delivery of the package. Please note that any additional shipping costs for the replacement are the responsibility of the buyer. While our shipping methods are designed to minimize the risk of DOA, we cannot control the handling by postal employees or drivers.
We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with your order. Please donāt hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.






