Our Guide To Keeping Albino Cardinal Tetra Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
   • Common name: Albino Cardinal Tetra
   • Family: Characidae
   • Origin: Upper Orinoco and Rio Negro river basins in South America
   • Adult length: 3 to 5 cm
   • Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Moderate
   • Temperament: Peaceful

2. Tank Setup:

   • Albino Cardinal Tetras are active schooling fish that appreciate plenty of open swimming space alongside planted and shaded areas. A minimum tank size of around 60L is recommended, with a larger aquarium preferable for a substantial school.
   • Provide dense planting around the sides and back of the aquarium using plants such as Java Fern, Anubias and Cryptocoryne, while leaving open swimming space towards the centre. Floating plants can be used to create subdued lighting and help the fish feel secure.
   • A dark substrate, natural wood and dried leaves can help recreate the softly lit blackwater habitats associated with Cardinal Tetras and will also help display the albino colouration effectively.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Albino Cardinal Tetras prefer soft, slightly acidic water. Aim for a pH between 5.0 and 7.5, with stable water conditions being particularly important.
   • Keep the water temperature between 23 to 29°C (73 to 84°F), with approximately 24 to 27°C being suitable for most community aquariums.
   • They perform best in mature aquariums with consistently good water quality and should not be introduced to newly established or unstable aquariums.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use an efficient biological filter that maintains excellent water quality without producing excessive current. Gentle to moderate water movement is ideal for Albino Cardinal Tetras.
   • Regular partial water changes are important because these small tetras can be sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and sudden changes in water chemistry.

5. Diet:

   • Albino Cardinal Tetras are omnivores and should be offered a varied diet. A high-quality small tropical flake, micro-pellet or fine granulated food can be provided as their staple diet.
   • Supplement their diet regularly with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp, cyclops and small bloodworms.
   • Their mouths are relatively small, so ensure all foods are suitably sized and provide small portions that can be consumed quickly.

6. Tank mates:

   • Albino Cardinal Tetras are peaceful schooling fish and should ideally be kept in groups of at least six, although groups of ten or more provide greater security and allow their natural schooling behaviour to be displayed more effectively.
   • Suitable tank mates include other peaceful tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, small peaceful catfish, dwarf cichlids and other similarly sized community fish that thrive in comparable water conditions.
   • Avoid keeping them with large, aggressive or highly territorial species that may intimidate, injure or prey upon these small tetras.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Albino Cardinal Tetras are peaceful, sociable fish that spend much of their time swimming together through the middle levels of the aquarium. A good-sized school will make them feel more secure and encourage natural behaviour.
   • The albino variety is a colour form of the Cardinal Tetra and has essentially the same husbandry requirements and peaceful temperament as the standard form.
   • They are particularly attractive when maintained as a large school in a planted aquarium with subdued lighting, where their pale body colouration and characteristic markings can be displayed prominently.