Overview
Cardinal Tetra - Large is a peaceful schooling freshwater tetra suited for planted and community aquariums. It does best in stable, fully cycled water with peaceful tankmates, plant cover, and a properly sized group when possible.
Cardinal Tetra - Large is a freshwater shrimp suited for planted tanks, shrimp tanks, and peaceful community aquariums. It does best in stable, fully cycled water with slow acclimation, plant cover, mature biofilm, and shrimp-safe tankmates.
Common Name: Cardinal Tetra - Large
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
At a Glance
Type: Freshwater Shrimp
Scientific Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi
Adult Size: Plan for adult size and colony growth.
Minimum Tank: Best in stable, cycled shrimp or planted aquariums
Temperament: Peaceful invertebrate
Care Level: Best with stable water and careful acclimation
Temperature: Keep temperature steady for the exact shrimp type
pH / GH / KH: Stable mineral content matters; verify requirements for the exact shrimp type
Diet: Biofilm, algae grazing, shrimp foods, and small supplemental foods
Best Tankmates: Peaceful shrimp-safe fish, peaceful snails, mosses, and live plants
Avoid With: Copper, aggressive fish, large predators, and tanks with unstable parameters
Care Notes
Use slow acclimation when possible. Avoid copper exposure and do not add shrimp to unstable or uncycled tanks. Plant cover, moss, and mature grazing surfaces help shrimp settle after arrival.
Shipping & Arrival
Most in-stock livestock generally ships in 1–2 business days when weather, livestock condition, and carrier timing are safe. Open the package promptly, keep lights low, and acclimate before release.
Before You Buy
- Is the tank cycled and stable?
- Is the aquarium large enough for adult size or final placement?
- Are tankmates compatible?
- Do you have appropriate food, cover, or supplies ready?
- Can you receive and acclimate the order promptly?
- Type: Freshwater Fish
- Subtype: Tetra
- Adult size: Plan for adult size, not just size at purchase.
- Minimum tank: Best in stable planted or community aquariums with peaceful tankmates.
- Temperament: Peaceful schooling tetra.
- Care level: Best in stable, cycled aquariums with clean water and low stress.
- Temperature: Keep temperature steady and matched to peaceful tropical community fish.
- pH: Stable freshwater parameters matter more than constant correction.
- Diet: Crushed flakes, micro pellets, and occasional small frozen foods.
- Best kept: Groups of 6+ when possible, with plant cover and peaceful community fish.
- Best tankmates: Other peaceful tetras, rasboras, small Corydoras, peaceful community fish, and live plants.
- Avoid with: Aggressive cichlids, large predators, rough fin nippers, and goldfish.
