the essentials in brief
Yes, cardinal fish are known to be peaceful and sociable creatures that get along well with other fish species. Find out more about the ideal conditions for your aquarium here...
The ideal water temperature for cardinal fish is between 24°C and 26°C, as they originally come from tropical areas. You can read more about the natural home of the cardinal fish here...
Cardinal fish feel particularly comfortable in the company of peaceful fish species such as guppies, dwarf rasbora and armored catfish.
Preface
The colorful world of cardinal fish
Dive into the colorful underwater world of the cardinal fish and get to know the fascinating characteristics of these little red beauties. These aquarium fish are one popular choice for many aquarists around the world and there are good reasons why they are so sought after.
Did you know already
Cardinal fish are real "chatters" in the aquarium. If you listen carefully, you can sometimes hear a faint "chirping" or "chirping." It is believed that this sound is caused by the movement of the fins when the fish communicate with each other.
Cardinal fish belong to the danios family and are native from the tropical waters of South America. Their homes are primarily the rivers and streams of the Amazon and Orinoco. There live in large swarms and show impressive social behavior. Anyone who decides to add these beautiful fish to their aquarium should try to create a similar group structure to give the animals a sense of security and belonging.
The striking red coloring the cardinalfish is a distinctive feature that sets them apart from other danios. Its body is slightly flattened at the sides and has a shiny silver border. The bright red coloring extends down the sides of the body and gives the fish its name "cardinal fish". This intense coloring serves multiple purposes. On the one hand it is used for communication in the swarm. A healthy and happy cardinalfish shows off its vibrant color and attracts potential partners. On the other hand, the red color also serves deterring predators. In their natural environment, cardinal fish are less attractive to predators due to their bright color.
Typical of cardinal fish is her calm and peaceful behavior. They are rather shy and reserved, which makes them ideal residents of a community aquarium. These harmonious creatures like to swim in the middle and bottom of the aquarium and have also been known to socialize like to stay between aquatic plants.
Tip: Their calm demeanor makes them excellent housemates for other peaceful fish species such as guppies, dwarf rasbora and armored catfish.
Cardinalfish are also active swimmers who like to swim laps in groups. A school of these charming fish can transform the aquarium into a lively and colorful spectacle. Her graceful movements and her bright colors give the aquarium a special atmosphere, which captivates every viewer.
In nature, cardinal fish feed on various small insects and larvae that live on the water surface or found near aquatic plants. In captivity, they can be satisfied with a balanced diet of dry, live, or frozen food. Make sure cardinalfish are fed regularly, but don't overfeed them as this can negatively affect water quality.
The right conditions for cardinal fish
In order for your cardinal fish to feel completely comfortable in their new home, it is important to create the right conditions. Here you can find out everything you need to know about keeping and caring for cardinal fish.
The right water temperature
Cardinal fish come from tropical areas, so it is important to control the water temperature in the aquarium between 24°C and 26°C to keep. It is best to use an aquarium heater to keep the desired temperature constant. Avoid sudden temperature changes, as these can harm the fish.
The right water quality
Cardinalfish are delicate animals, so good water quality is very important. Make sure the water is neither too hard nor too soft and neutral pH hat. Regular water changes of about 20% of the total volume every two weeks help to keep the water quality optimal.
Note: Use non-chlorine water for water changes to avoid irritating cardinalfish's sensitive gills.
The right setup
In order to offer the cardinal fish an environment that is as natural as possible, the aquarium should Aquatic plants, roots and stones to be set up. The plants serve the fish not only as a hiding place, but also as a spawning ground. Make sure that there is enough free swimming space for the active swimmers. It is also known that cardinal fish love dim light, so subdued aquarium lighting is recommended.
The right socialization
Cardinal fish are peaceful animals and get along well with other calm and non-aggressive fish species. Guppies, dwarf rasbora and armored catfish make excellent roommates for cardinal fish. However, avoid larger or aggressive fish species as these can cause stress to the small cardinal fish. It is also ideal cardinal fish not with similarly colored species to socialize, as this can lead to confusion and conflicts.
The right feeding
Cardinalfish are omnivores and will take both Dry food as well as live and frozen food like to. Ensure a balanced diet with high-quality flake food, granules, mosquito larvae, Artemia and occasionally vegetables. Vary the feeding to ensure your cardinal fish are getting all the nutrients they need. Be careful not to feed too much at onceto avoid overfeeding and the associated water pollution.
Regular maintenance
Regular grooming is essential to keep your cardinal fish healthy. Remove excess food and dead plant parts from the aquarium every two weeks. Check the filter system and clean it if necessary to ensure good water quality. It is not recommended to clean the whole aquarium at once, as important microorganisms in the filter system can be lost as a result. Watch your fish for signs of illness and, if in doubt, intervene in good time.
biodiversity of cardinal fish
Cardinal fish are not only known for their bright red color, but also for their fascinating biodiversity. There are a wide variety of cardinalfish species in aquaristics, each with their own unique characteristics and color variations.
- Red neon (Paracheirodon axelrodi): He is probably one of the best-known subspecies of cardinal fish. He is characterized by his striking red coloring that extends from the caudal fin to the head. A distinctive feature is the blue stripe that runs along the sidelines, making the red color stand out even more.
- Black neon (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi): Compared to the Red Neon, it is less bright red, but has one dark, almost black colour. The blue stripe along the sideline is also less pronounced on the black neon. Nevertheless, it is an eye-catcher in every aquarium and gets along well with other peaceful fish species.
- Green neon (Paracheirodon simulans): The green neon is a lesser known but no less fascinating. His body is rather colored olive green and, in contrast to the other subspecies, has no conspicuous blue stripes. Instead, the green neon is characterized by a fine green line down its back .
- Blue neon (Paracheirodon simulans): This subspecies is similar to the green neon, but differs by one light blue coloring along the lateral line. This coloring gives it an unmistakable appearance and makes it a real eye-catcher in the aquarium. Like its peers, the blue tetra is peaceful and gets along well with other peaceful fish species.
- The Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus): Also called glowlight tetra, this fish is an interesting subspecies of cardinalfish. He is characterized by a conspicuous orange caudal fin out that looks like a glowing light. The rest of the body is rather plain and silvery in color.
Note: In aquaristics, the glow-light tetra is valued for its eye-catching appearance and lively swimming movements.
- Dashfin Cardinalfish (Paracheirodon innesi): It is similar to the red neon, but has an additional one distinctive black stripes, which extends from the dorsal fin to the caudal fin. This contrast gives it a distinctive look and makes it easily distinguishable from other cardinalfish species.
The variety of species of cardinal fish offers the aquarist the opportunity to create a colorful and harmonious aquarium. Each subspecies has its own peculiarities and traits that make them fascinating pets. No matter which species of cardinal fish you choose, they will all enrich the aquarium with their lively presence and bring a lot of joy and enthusiasm.
swam fast
The fascinating world of the cardinal fish offers colourful, peaceful and sociable aquarium inhabitants. The right conditions are crucial for keeping them. as the ideal water temperature, good water quality, suitable furnishings and harmonious socialization. The impressive biodiversity of the cardinal fish offers different subspecies with unique color variations and characteristics that will make your aquarium a lively and colorful spectacle.