Cardinal Tetras are freshwater fish that are common in the aquarium trade. They’re easy to care for and make an excellent pet for kids or adults alike. Cardinal tetra prices vary depending on your location, but we will break it down here so you can get a better understanding of what they cost and why.
The Cardinal tetra is a fish native to the Amazonian basin. But you can breed them in captivity and distribute them worldwide. They are small schooling fish that do well in community aquariums with other peaceful species. You can find Cardinal tetra at most pet shops for around $3-5 each or online for about $2-$4 per fish.
What Type Of Fish Are Cardinal Tetras?
Cardinal tetras are small freshwater fish that belong to the Characidae family. They look like neon blue rainbows. They get their name from the red stripe present on their body near their gills which resemble a cardinal’s robe.
Cardinal tetras often swim in schools of hundreds, even thousands at once. It is because their bright colors attract other fish, and they like to be in groups.
Cardinal tetras originate from the Amazon River Basin, where over half of all freshwater life. These little guys can quickly adapt to various water conditions and prefer a pH balance between five and seven. As a result, they make great pets for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.
Cardinal tetras are omnivores and will eat various food like brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms, and flakes. Purchasing live foods is the best way to go as these little guys love them, especially if you can catch some yourself or buy from local breeders. They also require vegetable matter in their diet, so supplement their food with spinach, kale, or other leafy greens.
Cardinal Tetra Prices
The price range for a good quality cardinal tetra can be anywhere from $0.50 to up to around three dollars each depending on your local fish store (LFS). A school of cardinal tetras can range from a couple of dollars to about $20.
Fish tanks at local fish stores have two primary purposes: one is for retail sale, and the other is as a display tank so that customers can see how healthy and vibrant your stock looks in their tank before they buy it.
Many pet store employees do not know the price of every fish in their store and will be happy to provide you with information on a specific fish you ask about, but they may not know what each fish costs.
Tropical fish enthusiasts named Cardinal tetras one of the most popular aquarium fishes available today because it is an easy species for beginners.
What Are The Factors That Affect The Prices Of Cardinal Tetra?
Cardinal tetras are popular fish that can be present in freshwater aquariums. They are peaceful and active, which makes them an ideal choice for most fish keepers.
Cardinal tetra prices are mainly dependent on the Cardinal tetras’ size, color, and age. These three things can significantly affect how much people will be willing to pay for them on any given day or time. On top of these cardinal tetra price determinants, several other factors can influence them.
However, if you are thinking about how these factors affect the price of Cardinal tetras. Then, here’s your answer:
Size
The size of the Cardinal Tetra is directly related to its price. Therefore, the larger it gets, the more expensive it will be.
Color
Like any living being, cardinals are subject to natural variations in their coloration due to age and condition. Unfortunately, this means that different colors have different values on the market, which can vary day by day or even hour by hour.
Age
The age of the cardinal tetras is also a determinant factor in their price because older cardinals are more likely to have better fins, colors, and scales than younger specimens.
Overall Condition
Any color or size for their cardinals cannot satisfy some fish keepers if they want them to look their best. However, it means that they may be willing to pay more for specimens with better overall condition, especially if it’s an expensive color like the red-eyed cardinal tetra.
Where To Find The Best Prices On Cardinal Tetra?
There are many different places where you can find cardinals at a great price. However, before you do that, you have to consider all of the various factors involved in their price. You will need these considerations when it comes time for you to buy your cardinals so they won’t turn out to be more expensive than expected.
- Pet stores
- Local fish shops
- Online retailers like Amazon and Aquabid
- Breeders
- Aquarium clubs and conventions
There is a big market for cardinals, and it’s essential to know where you can find the best prices on them. That way, you will be able to get the deal that works out best for you without overpaying in any other way.
What Are The Other Costs That Comes With Cardinal Tetras?
Cardinal tetras are not as expensive as other fish. However, fantastic food and equipment like a tank will affect your budget. Some of the additional expense that you need to include in your budget is the cost of some aquarium equipment, aquariums, and feeding.
Besides this, you need to consider the pet store’s price and shipping cost. Some of the things you need for a happier Cardinal tetra, along with their price, are:
Aquarium: $50-$200
Cardinal Tetra Food: $15.99 for a container of 30 flakes, which is about 50 cents per day, and the price can go up depending on your fish size or type.
Water Conditioner: $11.95 for 16 ounces at PetSmart.com. You need to condition the water in your tank.
Aquarium Light: $16-$200 depending on wattage needed for lighting (and you can get a hood with lights).
Food Container: $14 at AquaCave.com if purchased separately. It comes free when purchased Cardinal Tetras together; an offer from AquaCave.com if purchased independently, but it comes free when purchased Cardinal Tetras together; a recommendation from Petco.
Aquarium Cleaning Brush: $13-$20 depending on how many fish are in a tank and the cleaning brush you need.
Water Testing Kit: $12 for 50 tests at Amazon.com
Decorations: $15-$20 depending on the type of decorations you choose to put in your tank.
Power Filter: The AquaClear 70 Power Filter at Amazon is less than $50, but it comes with chemicals used together with this filter. You can also purchase them separately for your tank.
Things To Know Before Buying Cardinal Tetras:
You can buy them at a local fish shop or an online store – the choice is yours! But if you decide on going with an online store, make sure that they give safe and secure shipping methods. While you do not necessarily have to buy them from a local pet store, there are some essential things that you should know.
First, make sure they can acclimate the fish properly. It means slowly raising their temperature and salinity over time until it is at an appropriate level for your tank. It also means maintaining a proper pH balance, which is essential for this type of fish.
Second, make sure they are fully aware that you should keep these tetras in groups of at least six. If you have less than six tetras left, their chances for survival decrease drastically due to being more susceptible to predators and diseases. The cardinal tetra prefers a temperature of around 76 degrees F and a neutral pH balance.
Those are some of the most important things you should know before buying cardinal tetras! They make for excellent fish that will bring life to your tank without much effort on your part at all – but they do require special care. So make sure you give them what they need if you want to keep them alive and healthy.
Some FAQs
Can I Get Cardinal Tetra At Lowest Prices?
Yes, you can find them at the lowest price if you buy them in bulk. The average cost of 100 fish is $20 for this species. However, prices may vary according to size and color pattern that making one more desirable than another. You can also purchase cardinal tetras online or through catalogs, where they usually cost less because there is no need to pay for the shipping costs.
Are There Any Special Attributes Of Cardinal Tetra?
Yes, some unique attributes make this fish one of America’s most popular freshwater aquarium fishes. They have a bright red body color with four black stripes on each side and blue iris eyes. The male is more vibrant in color with a more brilliant red body and deeper black stripes. However, the female is still quite attractive as well because it has a lighter pinkish-red body color.
What is the Average Price For Cardinal Tetra?
You can purchase cardinal tetras for anywhere from $0.20 each to several dollars each depending on this fish species’ color pattern and size. For example, cardinal tetras with black markings on the dorsal and anal fins may cost $0.20 each, while those with no marking or red stripe in front of the striping will usually sell for several dollars each.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we do offer some tips about cardinal tetras. One crucial piece of information is that Cardinal tetras lose their vibrant color after some time, so remember this if you want to keep Cardinal tetra. Besides this, cardinal tetras are not suitable for beginner fishkeepers because they can be sensitive to changes in water conditions.
One tip is while all the black stripes on a male will be more profound than the female, the color of the fish can vary depending on their surroundings. It means they will show redder when in a well-planted aquarium with soft water and higher temperatures than if you place them in an unplanted tank that has more challenging water conditions.