Cardinal Tetra
ExploreFish
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon cardinalis
Cardinal Tetras are beautiful little fish with bright red and blue colors! They love to swim in groups and are very peaceful.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers
Appearance
The Cardinal Tetra has a vibrant, iridescent blue stripe running above a brilliant red stripe that extends from head to tail. This full-body red stripe distinguishes it from its close relative, the Neon Tetra, making it appear as a tiny, living jewel.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderCharaciformesFamilyCharacidaeGenusParacheirodon
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
At night, their bright colors disappear to help them hide from predators!
Cardinal Tetras are like living jewels found only in the Amazon rainforest!
These tiny fish can swim in rivers so dark, they're called 'blackwater'!
They look like tiny swimming rainbows, thanks to their shiny scales!
Special abilities
Ability
Glimmering Camouflage
Cardinal Tetra has a bright iridescent stripe that reflects light, helping them blend into their dark river habitats or confuse predators.
Ability
Nighttime Fade
Cardinal Tetra can make their bright colors fade at night, helping them hide from lurking predators while they rest.
Ability
Super Shoaling
Cardinal Tetra can form huge schools, creating a moving 'superorganism' that makes it harder for predators to pick out one fish.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 3-5 cm
- Weight
- 0.0005-0.001 kg
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years
- Swim Speed
- 0.5 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 2 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
Tiny predators, they munch on small insects and critters found in the water.
Primary Foods
- Zooplankton
- Insect larvae
- Small crustaceans
- Algae
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
A tiny crustacean that is a primary food source for tetras.
eaten by
Dwarf Pike Cichlid
Crenicichla regani
A larger predatory fish sharing the same Amazonian habitat.
eaten by
Wolf Fish
Hoplias malabaricus
A fierce nocturnal predator that ambushes smaller fish like tetras.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Cardinal Tetra FishRed Tetra
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Cardinal Tetra?
3-5 cm
How much does Cardinal Tetra weigh?
0.0005-0.001 kg
How long does Cardinal Tetra live?
1-3 years
What does Cardinal Tetra eat?
Tiny predators, they munch on small insects and critters found in the water.
How fast can Cardinal Tetra swim?
0.5 km/h
Where is Cardinal Tetra usually found?
Freshwater rivers
How does Cardinal Tetra hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Cardinal Tetra go?
2 m
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