Out of the many reasons for Cardinal tetras’ popularity are their beautiful petite body and unique attributes. These fish always succeed to amuse the aquarist by one way or the other. However, with the increasing fish-keeping habit, nowadays aquarists often notice that fish sometimes play dead. So, do Cardinal tetras play dead?
It is not unusual to experience Cardinal tetras dead playing sometimes. Thus, it is pretty standard, but sometimes the reasons behind it might be some warning signs that you better not neglect. Some of the reasons why Cardinal tetras dead play are when they are sick, feel stressed, or have a problem in the aquarium environment.
We indeed will be looking into this peculiar attribute of Cardinal tetras and some ways to manage it in this post. So, are you ready to explore the meaning of Cardinal tetras playing dead? Let’s begin then.
What Does Playing Dead Mean?
They are playing dead means that an animal is faking its death. They may do this for several reasons, such as to get away from predators or avoid danger in general. In addition, many animals use playing dead as a defense mechanism. For example, fish often fool humans by buying it because they don’t think other species can play through it.
It is a part of survival. When the fish are playing dead, they will look like they have fungus or some other disease that makes them unable to move and appear lifeless. They also take on a lighter color tone to blend seamlessly into their environment so predators cannot spot them as easily.
Can Cardinal Tetras Play Dead?
Yes, they can play dead. Cardinal tetras do so frequently. Cardinal tetras have a unique defense mechanism. It is to turn belly up and appear lifeless when in the presence of danger or potential predators.
Cardinal tetras will float to the top, gill openings pointing skyward, and remain motionless. Sometimes they will even emit a blood-red color to indicate their demise. This behavior can effectively prevent predators who might see them floating on its side as easy prey.
Usually, Cardinal tetras are not much of an active fish. They prefer lying in the bottom at the dark areas of your tank, which is typical for them. However, sometimes they like to rest on plants and sometimes even on top of driftwood or rocks. Most owners consider this as normal behavior.
However, it is essential to note that this behavior only occurs in response to stress, diseases, or sudden change in water conditions.
Why Do Cardinal Tetras Play Dead?
Although playing dead is a natural survival tactic for Cardinal tetras. They do not show this behavior all the time. Instead, these fish most likely play dead in certain circumstances.
However, the reasons why Cardinal tetras play dead are:
When Cardinal Tetras Are Sick
During illness, Cardinal tetras are very vulnerable to predators. To survive, these fish will dump themselves in the gravel and play dead until they feel safe again.
Usually, Cardinal tetras have a compromised immune system when they are sick. Therefore, they do not have enough energy to fight their enemies. Thus, they just lay there and wait for the danger to pass.
Due To Change In-Tank Condition
Cardinal Tetras will also play dead in the event of a sudden change to their environment. For example, if you clean your tank or move some rocks around. These fish will feel threatened by the disturbance, and they may “play dead” until things go back to normal again.
When Cardinal Tetras Feel Scared
In a similar way to illness, fear can cause fish to play dead. In this case, it is more likely that another fish or predator attacked them before playing dead. When these poor little guys feel scared enough, their instinct kicks in, and they lay on their side and become still.
When Cardinal Tetras Are Playing
Although playing dead is natural for fish, you might misconstrue it as aggression if they play dead around other tank mates or when protecting an area. For example, suppose another fish comes too close to the “playing dead” cardinal tetra that these fish might attack the new fish. So, be careful when putting more than one Cardinal Tetra in a tank at once.
Due To Stress
The most common reason that cardinal tetras play dead is due to stress. Cardinal Tetra Fish are pretty sensitive, and when they become stressed, it can cause them to scrape their long fins on objects or even damage their bodies to escape the situation (such as a tank with low water levels).
Lack Of Enough Space
Another reason that this may occur is due to the compatibility of the fish in your tank. It could be possible that they do not have enough space or hiding spots, which can cause them to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. If you notice many cardinal tetras lying on the bottom of a tank for no apparent reason, it may be because they are unable to breathe.
For Protection
Cardinal Tetras can also play dead as a form of protection. If cardinal tetras feel threatened by another fish in your tank, they may attempt this behavior. They will try to blend into their surroundings much like many other species do when camouflage or mimicry.
What Do If Cardinal Tetras Play Dead?
Sometimes playing dead is also a sign of illness or health hazard. So, you should be attentive towards your cardinal tetra fish and take the necessary measures to keep them safe. If you notice that your cardinal tetras are playing dead when they should not be, then immediately do the following:
- Move them to a separate tank with tepid water. Please do this in case you expose Cardinal tetras to any harmful chemicals or other dangerous objects.
- Make sure there is nothing else in their new home but some food for them to eat. It will help keep the water healthy and clean, so do not worry about it being too bare bones of a setup.
- Observe their behavior for another couple of days or weeks. If they are still playing dead after this period, then you should probably speak with your local fish store owner as soon as possible.
- Make sure to have a second tank available if your fish is sick, so you can quarantine them and provide the best care possible for them until they get better or die.
- If there is nothing else wrong with your cardinal tetras, then it might just be that something scared them, leading up to their death feigning.
I do not recommend keeping anything in your tank that might scare them ever again, such as a large predator fish or loud noises from pumps and filters.
FAQs
What Is The Lifespan Of Cardinal Tetras?
The typical lifespan of a Cardinal Tetra is four to five years. But there are also reports of them living longer.
What Is The Water Temperature For Cardinal Tetras?
The ideal water temperature for cardinal tetras is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher or lower can be life-threatening to these fish.
What Are The Common Diseases In Cardinal Tetras?
Many different diseases can affect cardinal tetras. One of the most common is Ich or Ick. Another disease to watch out for is fin rot, which causes the fins of a fish to become weak and fall off.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cardinal Tetras play dead for a variety of reasons. First, if you have other tank mates or if their environment does not provide them with enough hiding spaces and security, they will become stressed out leading up to this behavior.
It is also possible that these behaviors are due to something else going on inside the body of your cardinal tetra fish. However, if you notice that they are playing dead for more than just a few minutes, then it might be time to contact your local fish store owner if there is something wrong with them, such as poisoning or disease.
Thank You For Reading!