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Cardinal tetra
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==In the aquarium trade== [[Image:Paracheirodon axelrodi school.jpg|thumb|250px|A shoal of cardinal tetras in an [[aquarium]]]] An entire [[Industry (economics)|industry]] is in place in [[Barcelos, Amazonas|Barcelos]] on the banks of [[Brazil]]'s [[Rio Negro (Amazon)|Rio Negro]] in which the local population catches fish for the aquarium trade. The cardinal fishery here is highly valued by the local people who act as stewards for the environment. The local people may not become involved in potentially environmentally damaging activities, such as deforestation, because they can make a sustainable living from the fishery.<ref name="piaba"/> Between the years of 2006 to 2015, over 92,000,000 cardinal tetras were exported from the state of [[Amazonas State (Brazil)|Amazonas]], accounting for 64.57% of all ornamental fish exports from the state during this time.<ref name="TribuzyNeto2021">{{cite journal|last1=Tribuzy-Neto|first1=Ivan Azevedo|last2=Beltrão|first2=Hélio|last3=Benzaken|first3=Zehev Schwartz|last4=Yamamoto|first4=Kedma Cristine|name-list-style=&|date=26 March 2021|title=Analysis of the Ornamental Fish Exports from the Amazon State, Brazil|journal=Boletim do Instituto de Pesca|volume=46|number=4|doi=10.20950/1678-2305.2020.46.4.554|doi-access=free|issn= 1678-2305|url=https://institutodepesca.org/index.php/bip/article/view/1470/1479|access-date=25 April 2024}}{{open access}}</ref> <!-- non-encyclopedic how-to; section needs to be re-worked but information within might be useful == In Captivity == It is essential to keep these fish in groups of 6 specimens at a minimum, ideally they can be kept in larger schools in order to ensure their comfort and security. Keeping Cardinal tetras in groups also allows these tiny tetras to exhibit their most natural shoaling behaviors, reduces stress, and brings out their iridescent coloration far better than kept in too small of groups or as individuals. The minimum recommended requirements in regards to tank size vary, with most suggesting at least 10 U.S gallons, many fishkeepers suggest however that 20 gallon setups fair better with Cardinal tetras, they benefit from greater surface area so a longer style aquarium can be considered a better option than taller tank setups. They will readily feed on flake foods, pellets designed for small tetra species, and even a variety of vegetable matter. 7.5 pH water hardness is considered optimum for these fish, however they can also thrive around 8.0 pH as well. The temperature of the water must be kept above 75 F and between 80 F in order to prevent disease and stress on the tetras. Tankmates should only be chosen with utmost care to avoid any fish too boisterous and large enough to consume these very small fish, they have been kept successfully with other smaller tetras, [[Honey gourami|Honey gouramis]], and are great cohabitants and peaceful with freshwater shrimp species such as [[Neocaridina davidi|Cherry Shrimp]]. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Cardinal Tetra Care & Info {{!}} Paracheirodon axelrodi |url=https://www.theshrimpfarm.com/posts/cardinal-tetra-care/#Requirements |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=The Shrimp Farm |language=en}}</ref> <!-- non-encyclopedic how-to; section needs to be re-worked but information within might be useful ===Aquarium maintenance=== Perhaps due to their wild-caught origins, cardinal tetras tend to be somewhat delicate in captivity. In the wild, these fish inhabit extremely soft, acidic waters, but seem to be tolerant of harder, more alkaline water conditions; a greater concern is probably polluted tank water (including high nitrate levels). They prefer warmer water temperatures [above {{cvt|75|°F|°C|order=flip|abbr=on}} or warmer], and will readily accept most forms of dry food. Captive-bred cardinals tend to adapt to hard water better than wild-caught cardinals. Given the origins of the cardinal tetra, namely [[blackwater river]]s whose chemistry is characterised by an [[acid]]ic [[pH]], low [[hard water|mineral content]] and the presence of [[humic acid]]s, the species is adaptable to a wide range of conditions in captivity, though deviation from the soft, acidic water chemistry of their native range will impact severely upon [[Reproduction|breeding]], [[fecundity]], and life expectancy. The preferred temperature range of the fish is {{cvt|26|to|28|C|F}}. However, if necessary they will live at {{cvt|24|C|F}}. The water chemistry of the aquarium water should match that of the wild habitat – filtration of the aquarium water over [[peat]] is one means of achieving this, as is the use of reverse osmosis water. As the species is a [[Shoaling and schooling|shoaling]] species in the wild, groups of six or more individuals should be maintained in an aquarium although bigger groups are preferred. They will shoal with their close cousins [[neon tetra]]s, though, so a combination of these two species totalling at least six should suffice (again, larger groups are preferred). Tank currents can help encourage shoaling behavior. The larger the numbers present in an aquarium (subject to the usual constraints imposed by space and filtration efficiency), the better, and large shoals in any case form an impressive and visually stunning display. The species will feed on a wide range of aquarium foods, though again, conditioning fishes of this species for breeding will usually require the use of live foods such as ''[[Daphnia]]''. Aquarium furnishings should be planned with some care. Live aquatic plants, as well as providing additional biological filtration components to assist with nitrate management, provide an environment that resembles at least part of the wild habitat, and fine-leaved plants such as ''[[Cabomba]]'' are usually the plants of choice, though other plants such as Amazon swordplants and ''[[Vallisneria]]'' are equally suitable for an aquarium housing them. Floating plants providing shade will also be welcomed by the species; this is connected with the breeding of the fish. A perfect biotope to promote breeding would be bogwood, a few live native plants, dark substrate and subdued lighting with floating plants. ===Captive breeding=== In the aquarium, a single pair can be conditioned for breeding, but the breeding aquarium not only needs to contain water with the correct chemical parameters cited above, but the breeding aquarium also needs to be heavily shaded to mimic the low light conditions of the fish's native spawning grounds. --> <!-- how-to Parents need to be removed after the eggs and sperm are released, otherwise they will eat the eggs. <ref> https://freshwatercentral.com/cardinal-tetra {{Bare URL inline|date=May 2022}}</ref> Apart from the stringent requirements with respect to water chemistry, one of the major difficulties in captive breeding of the species is the photosensitivity of the eggs; they will die if exposed to bright light. Consequently, after spawning, the fishes should be removed and the aquarium covered to darken it, thus providing the developing eggs with the conditions necessary for development. If the eggs are fertile, and kept in darkened surroundings, they hatch in about three days at {{cvt|28|°C|°F}}. Free-swimming fry remain photosensitive for at least the first seven days of life, and need to be introduced to increasing light levels on a gradual basis. During this time, they are approximately 4 mm in length, and require [[infusoria]] or liquid fry food. Newly hatched [[brine shrimp]] and other similar live foods, such as sifted ''Daphnia'', can be fed to the growing fry at between seven and 14 days of age. Growth continues at a modest rate, and the fishes assume full adult colouration only after a period of around eight to 12 weeks, depending upon quality of food and aquarium water. -->
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