Cardinal tetra fish is a type of tetra fish that is related to neon tetra fish. How to care for and cultivate neon tetra is almost the same between the two.
With the economical price of tetra fish, it’s no wonder that many have tried spawning and succeeded because this tetra fish is classified as a type of tetra fish that is easy to care for.
Here’s how to cultivate cardinal tetra or cardinal tetra fish.
Classification and System of Cardinal Tetra
| ordo | Ostariopysoidei |
| Sub ordo | Characioidea |
| Family | Characidae |
| Genus | Cheirodon |
| Species | Cheirodon axelrodi Schult |
| Origin | Rio negro and Columbia River |
| English name | Cardinal Tetra |
| Latin name | Cardinal Tetra |
Characteristics of the Cardinal Tetra
This ornamental fish looks like a neon tetra. The main difference is that the cardinal tetra has a slimmer body with more neon lines on its body. There are at least 4 dominant colors that adorn its body, the top is slightly gray, followed by green and blue, similar to neon. Underneath the neon lines are red and white in a row.
Like the neon tetra fish, the fins of the cardinal tetra are clear, clear, and not tarnished by any color. It’s just that on the anal and dorsal fins there is a rather striking white color, on the front. The pupils of his eyes are somewhat special because of their amazing color, resembling the colors of a rainbow.
Female fish will have fat bellies when they have matured, while male fish are mediocre. The body of the male tetra fish is slimmer than its partner. At the same age, the body growth of male tetra fish looks more prominent than female fish.
The cardinal tetra fish is a peaceful fish, it can get along well with all kinds of fish, even though it is smaller than them. This tetra fish in the aquarium includes fish that like to swim back and forth. Apart from that, one feature that stands out is that Car Tetra likes to swim in groups.
The car tetra or cardinal tetra will show a truly stunning color if it is placed in an aquarium container that has yellow water. This color can be made by giving the dye in the aquarium through a filter.
The cardinal tetra or cardinal tetra can grow up to 5 cm, slightly larger than its relative, the neon tetra. Same with neon tetra, cardinal tetra or cardinal tetra eggs must be dropped in a place with minimal light, because they are very sensitive.
Spawning Place for Cardinal Tetra Cultivation
In cultivating cardinal tetra or cardinal tetra fish in an aquarium, the ideal size is 30 x 25 x 25 cm or 40 x 20 x 20 cm. The three sides may be painted blue or green, and may also be plain.
Egg protective media as well as egg attachment, preferably aquarium bottom plant types. For example, use Myriophyllum, Hydrilla, and Cabomba plants.
The water used for cultivating cardinal tetra is the same as for cultivating neon tetra, namely water that has been specially treated. Distilled (distilled) water is added to the tamarind wood bath.
Overall, the desired water quality for this cardinal tetra fish is between 22 – 23 degrees C, soft (2 – 3 DH), rather old, sour (pH 5 – 6.8), clear, and free of organic matter.
Choosing Parent Cardinal Tetra Cultivation
choose the parent for the cultivation of cardinal tetra, you must first know the characteristics of the broodstock
The characteristics of the male and female parents are almost the same as the neon tetra parent. The difference between the neon tetra and the cardinal tetra, the cardinal tetra is fatter or bigger than the neon tetra. However, the beauty and charm of the neon lines are almost the same.
The male parent has a shorter body than his partner. Females apart from having a wider body, also have a longer stature. At the same age, male body growth is smaller than female fish.
The selected sires should be 8-9 months old, with a body length of 4 cm. For cultivation, parents should be separated by 6 males and 6 females.
If you are a beginner in cultivating cardinal tetra fish, usually good and good parents will produce 300 – 500 eggs. These eggs if alive will be opaque brown.
After the spawning container is ready, in the morning the ready broodstock can be put in a clean aquarium with the addition of ornamental plants. The male parent enters first, then the female parent.
then the 4 sides of the aquarium can be covered with dark-colored paper so that the atmosphere is peaceful and shady. Don’t forget to cover the top of the aquarium as well. If you want to see the activities of car tetras mating, you may be given a peek hole.
Tetra fish that are sexually mature will spawn after a rather long period, approximately 1-2 days. Fertilized eggs should be separated from the mother immediately. Separation is done after spawning activity is reduced, and no longer active.
Broods can be moved to their breeding grounds, while the eggs are dropped in the spawning aquarium. During that time the eggs are kept in a dark place. Therefore, never open the lid on the aquarium, before hatching.
The seeds began to be given food in the form of infusoria after entering the fifth day. During that time there is no need to give feed because it still has egg yolk, which is consumed by absorption. The following given dhapina
Enlargement of Cardinal Tetra Fish Cultivation
Enlargement of the cardinal tetra can be done in a cement tub with a size of 2 x 1 m, and a height of 0.4 m. It is also possible that the size is rather large, 2 x 2 m or 2 x 3 m. The height of the tub should be the same as 0.40 m.
The water used may be well water. If the pH is not suitable, it is better to add tamarind wood soaking water. The water level in the enlargement tub for the first stage should be no more than 20 cm.
After the seeds are rather large, you can increase the depth. Into the enlargement tub given water plants. The food given should be water fleas and worms. This fish is a bit slow growing. Which concerns other things like neon tetras.
Thus my friend a little review about the cultivation of cardinal tetra fish. I hope this is useful and can add insight and knowledge to all of us at the next level of care for all types of ornamental fish.
