Albino Cardinal Tetra - Paracheirodon axelordi

Albino Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

The Albino Cardinal Tetra, Paracheirodon axelrodi, is a delicate captive-bred colour form of the classic Cardinal Tetra, showing a pale cream to pinkish body, red eyes and the species’ characteristic red and iridescent blue striping in a softer albino expression. Also known as the Albino Red Neon or Albino Cardinal, this peaceful shoaling tetra is best kept in a mature planted aquarium with calm tank mates, subdued lighting and stable water quality. It is slightly more delicate than many common community fish, but very rewarding in the right setup.

Common Name:
Albino Cardinal Tetra, Albino Cardinal, Albino Red Neon, Cardinal Tetra.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Captive-bred albino colour form.

Maximum Size:
Usually around 4–5 cm.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The albino form is captive-bred and does not occur as a natural wild population. Wild Cardinal Tetras are native to South America, especially the upper Orinoco and Rio Negro river basins in Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. They naturally occur in shoals in slow-moving, shaded waters, often in soft, acidic blackwater or clearwater tributaries with leaf litter, roots and subdued light.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 5.5–7.0
Hardness or Salinity: Soft freshwater preferred; captive-bred albino forms may adapt to moderately soft water, but avoid hard, alkaline conditions and sudden changes.

Temperament:
Peaceful and sociable. Albino Cardinal Tetras are ideal for calm community aquariums and should always be kept in a group. They can become nervous if kept in small numbers or housed with large, fast, aggressive or predatory tank mates.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. In nature, Cardinal Tetras feed on tiny worms, small crustaceans and other small aquatic foods. In the aquarium, offer fine flakes, micro pellets, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, small bloodworm and other suitably small foods. A varied diet helps support colour, condition and natural shoaling behaviour.

Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with 90 litres or more preferred for a larger shoal in a planted community aquarium.

Behaviour & Activity:
A gentle mid-water shoaling fish that looks best in groups of at least 8–10, with larger groups giving better confidence and a stronger visual display. Albino individuals may appear more sensitive to bright lighting than standard forms, so floating plants, shaded areas and darker decor are helpful. They spend much of their time moving together through open water, plants and root-like cover.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
Suitable with peaceful small fish such as rasboras, pencilfish, small tetras, Corydoras, Otocinclus, dwarf cichlids with care, peaceful gouramis, snails and shrimp with caution. Avoid angelfish large enough to eat them, large cichlids, fin-nippers, boisterous barbs, predatory catfish and any fish with a mouth large enough to swallow them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best added to a mature, stable aquarium rather than a new setup. Provide gentle filtration, clean water, subdued lighting, plants, wood and optional leaf litter for a natural look. Avoid sudden temperature or pH swings, and acclimate carefully. Albino forms may show stress more visibly than standard Cardinal Tetras, so stable water quality and calm tank mates are especially important. Keep in groups rather than singly or in pairs.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Occasional in trade / Captive-bred colour form

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.