With the increasing popularity and interest in Cardinal tetras, there are many questions about what exactly they look like. Moreover, the different fishes that look similar to cardinal tetras have been popping up more and more in the aquarium trade, making it difficult for aquarists to differentiate between them. In this blog post, we will take a look at the different types of cardinal tetras and some of their close relatives, like albino Cardinal tetra.
Albino Cardinal Tetras may be less common than other colors. But there are still quite a few specimens in captivity, and it is not difficult to find them for sale at your local fish store (LFS). So, although albinism is rare, you should know what to look for when identifying an albino cardinal tetra.
Most people do not consider Albino Cardinal Tetras an extant species. Instead, they are the regular Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi). They look very similar to normal Cardinals but with several significant differences; firstly, their eyes appear red instead of black. Secondly, they lack any red pigment in their body, resulting in a completely white fish.
What Does An Albino Cardinal Tetra Look Like?
Albino cardinal tetras are an excellent fish for beginning freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. They have beautiful long fins, an attractive iridescent sheen, and they are relatively small at around two inches in length when fully grown. However, they are highly active fish, and they will always prefer to be in the middle of the action.
Talking about the looks of Cardinal tetra fish, they are one of the most beautiful freshwater fish that you can keep in your aquarium. These fishes are not as vibrant and colorful as the neon tetras, but they have a unique beauty. The albino cardinal tetra has a white body with some orange spots.
They appeared somewhat transparent, and the orange spots over their body gave a very striking appearance. Their fins are also long and beautiful, making them look even more attractive.
The iridescent sheen that they have attracts many people to buy this type of fish for aquariums because it adds great beauty to your tank and makes other fishes appear dull compared to them.
What Should You Know About An Albino Cardinal Tetra?
Albino cardinal tetras have a milky, opaque white color that makes them easy to identify. You can use them as baitfish for larger fish in the wild because of their bright coloring and will readily eat any food offered. They tend to be shy but can become very comfortable when humans handle them if you keep up this routine.
When it comes to keeping these cardinal tetras, they are schooling fish, and you should keep them in groups of six or more. Because they are so small, they can easily live in a ten-gallon tank or more prominent. They do best when kept in the water close to their natural pH level and temperature range, so if you’re unsure, it’s best to ask your retailer for assistance.
It would be best to feed albino cardinal tetras a varied diet of both frozen and live foods. Good options include bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and tubifex worms.
Keep in mind that these little fish are prone to ich if housed with other fish, so it’s best to keep them in a quarantine tank for a couple of weeks if you’re adding them to an existing community.
What Are The Differences Between Albino Cardinal Tetra And Cardinal Tetra?
Albino Cardinal tetras are almost identical to their standard cousins, but they have slight differences that you can watch out for when selecting your new pet. The most obvious ones are:
Difference In Appearance
One striking difference between Cardinal tetra and Albino Cardinal tetra is their looks. Albino cardinal tetras are white with red eyes. The body is almost transparent, making its internal organs visible from the outside of their bodies. It gives them a ghostly appearance that adds to their beauty and charm.
On the other hand, Cardinal tetra has a vibrant red and blue body with the silver line extending from the initial red stripe on the body to its tail. These are beautiful colors that can catch your attention.
Difference In Sizes
Albino cardinal tetra is smaller than average size Cardinal Tetras. You must consider this difference in size if you plan on keeping them together with other types of fish.
Difference In Behavior
Another difference between Albino cardinal tetra and Cardinal Tetra is in behavior. Albino cardinal tetras are usually very shy compared to normal ones, making them challenging to keep in community tanks where there are other fish they have to share the space with.
If you are looking for a beautiful, shy and smaller fish to add to your tank, the albino cardinal tetra is an excellent choice. Just be sure to keep in mind their differences from normal cardinal tetras when selecting them.
What Are The Similarities Between Albino Cardinal Tetra And Cardinal Tetra?
The albino cardinal tetra fish is a color variation of the normal cardinals. So, they both have a lot of similarities. They are:
- They both come from the same family of Characinidae, which is also famous as tetra fish.
- The cardinal tetras are native to South America, and they live in clear waters like small streams or ponds. The albino cardinals can be present there, too but at lower temperatures than their non-albino relatives.
- Both Cardinal Tetra and Albino Cardinal tetra are schooling fish that like to live in groups.
- They both have a lifespan of around five years.
- They have a similar requirement for water pH, temperature, and hardness.
Can Albinism Be A Disease In Cardinal Tetra?
Albino cardinal tetras are very popular in the fish hobby. However, it is essential to know that albinism could be a disease and not just a color variation. Some of the signs that will tell you that your cardinal tetra may be sick with albinism include loss of color, lack of pigment in the eyes and fins, and decreased overall size.
Albino cardinal tetras are beautiful fish and can make great additions to any aquarium. But it is essential to be aware of the potential for albinism as a disease. If you notice any signs of infection in your fish, seek help from an experienced aquarist right away.
How To Take Care Of Albino Cardinal Tetra In Aquarium?
You can place a cardinal tetra fish in any freshwater aquarium. However, one needs to consider some factors when setting up an environment for your albino cardinal tetra. So, some tips for the proper care of albino Cardinal tetra in the aquarium are:
- The tank should be at least 20 gallons for a single albino cardinal tetra and more if you plan to keep other fish as well.
- Water quality is essential. The water should be clean and have neutral pH levels between six and eight. Hardness should also be moderate, with GH around 12 degrees or less.
- The temperature should be at around 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Aquarium lighting is necessary and should be on for about eight hours per day.
- You can use plants or other decorations to make the aquarium more attractive, but they are unnecessary. If using plants, choose those that will not require too much attention and are sturdy enough to withstand the current from the filter.
- Gravel is the standard substrate for aquariums, but you can also use other substrates such as sand.
- Any number of fish you can keep with albino cardinal tetras. Just make sure the total stocking weight exceeds three-quarters of a pound. Also, choose fish that are not too large or aggressive.
- Albino cardinal tetras are not picky eaters. They will readily accept most types of food, including flakes, small pellets, frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), fresh vegetables (spinach or lettuce). You should feed them once or twice per day.
- When the albino cardinal tetra is first introduced to the aquarium, it may hide for a few days. Be patient and do not worry; they will become more active once comfortable in their new surroundings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the albino cardinal tetra is a beautiful fish that you can find in many pet stores. They are easy to care for and make a great addition to any tank. If you are looking for a unique fish, the albino cardinal tetra is worth considering.
Thank you for reading! I hope this article helped you know what an albino Cardinal tetra will look like?