Edit Paracheirodon axelrodi
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Name
Scientific name
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Described by
Authority Schultz, Year 1956
Family
Characidae
Summary
The cardinal tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi, is a small characid from the rio Negro and Orinoco drainages of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
35mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 23–29°C, pH 3.5–7.5
Hardness
1–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Supporting text
Etymology
Paracheirodon: from the Greek para, meaning 'related to', and the generic name Cheirodon. axelrodi: named for author, publisher of pet care books, and entrepre…
Distribution
Type locality is 'stream near Tomar, Rio Negro, near Porto Velho, Brazil', although this appears to be erroneous since Porto Velho is located on the rio Madeir…
Habitat
A more-or-less exclusive inhabitant of forest streams and minor tributaries containing relatively slowly-moving water. In the rio Negro system it inhabits so-c…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 in or larger is recommended.
Maintenance
Maintenance generally presents few problems although a degree of care is necessary with wild specimens which are more intolerant of deteriorating water conditi…
Water conditions
Temperature: 23 – 29 °C73 – 84 °F pH: 3.5 – 7.5 although wild specimens do best in more acidic conditions. Hardness: 1 – 12 dGH; towards the lower end of this …
Diet
Likely to be omnivorous feeding on small invertebrates, crustacea, filamentous algae, fallen fruit and suchlike in nature. In aquaria it may survive on a diet …
Behaviour and compatibility
Generally peaceful making it an ideal resident of the well-researched community aquarium. It’s perhaps best-maintained alongside similarly-sized characids, gas…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are noticeably rounder-bodied and a little larger than males.
Reproduction
You'll need to set up a dedicated tank if you want to raise decent numbers of fry. This should be very dimly lit and contain clumps of fine-leaved plants such …
Notes
This species is immensely popular in the aquarium hobby and is now commercially-bred on a large scale with selectively-produced ornamental strains including 'g…
References
References
8 on this profile