Cardinal Tetras! - Aquarium Advice

Fantasmic · 07-02-2004, 01:36 AM

Hey there! I went to the fish store today and bought some (2) cardinal tetras. I have a ten gallon tank being set up for them but for now, are in a 5 gallon. I was wondering how many would be good and what other fish would be good, for tankmates in a 10gal. Thanks!!

Ohh one more question. About how much would you say cardinal tetras usually go for? Don't wanna be getting ripped off!

-Kimmy

medge00 · 07-02-2004, 01:40 AM

you should get more... they like to be in groups. get a bottom feeder of some sort, like cories. good tank mates, interesting to watch

shawmutt · 07-02-2004, 04:00 AM

Agreed with medge, cories are the way to go.

You should have at least 6 cardinals. However, there is a problem. By the time you are done adding fish 6 cardinals and 3-4 cories, you are overstocked. With excellent maintenence it is possible though. Just keep on top of your water changes.

I payed $3.99 each for my cardinals! Actually, that was the price if I bought one or two--they were 4 for $15.

Quick question for you...how long has your tank been up and running? Cardinal tetras do better with an established tank--at least 6 months.

Fantasmic · 07-02-2004, 04:03 AM

I'm getting the 10 gallon tomorrow for a really good deal too. I'll start running it then.

My tetras costed me $2.99 each and they are in great condition! Very pretty too!

-Kimmy

shawmutt · 07-02-2004, 04:18 AM

I would recommend transferring most of the water from the 5 gallon into the 10. Also, if you aren't using the substrate from the 5 gallon, put the substrate in a filter bag (available in your [acronym:b46e6afb49="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:b46e6afb49]) and stick it in the 10 to "seed" the bacteria colony and reduce cycling times.

Good Luck!

TankGirl · 07-02-2004, 09:14 AM

Welcome to AA!

I will second Shawmutt here and recommend against cycling a tank with cardinals, since at least around here, they tend to be somewhat delicate, and a bit expensive. If possible, keep the 2 in the 5gal for now and fishless cycle the 10gal, and then when it is ready you can move them over and get some mates - they will do better if you have more of them, as mentioned.

Good luck, and I really applaud your choice of fish -cardinals are one of my alltime favorites.

krap101 · 07-02-2004, 03:43 PM

i never knew cardinals were so expensive. here their as much as the neons or 1.50

madasafish · 07-02-2004, 03:47 PM

Yeah, around NY, we can be lucky and get them for as little as $1.50 or $1.99. Around here, these don't survive particularly well. The shipping process tends to weaken their immune system, so when they're introduced into a tank, the tank must be fully cycled and stable.

I'd keep them in the 5 for now. Sorry to be a killjoy.

I'd get a school of 6-8 for a 10 gallon.

Fantasmic · 07-02-2004, 07:14 PM

Oh yeah of course! Fishless cycle, definatly. I agree, they're some of my favorite colored fish and I'll probably get a few more for the 10gal. Thanks!

blipblop · 07-07-2004, 05:25 PM

yeah, i have a 10g tank about 3 weeks into a fishless cycle and i want 3 corys and maybe 6-7 cardinal tetras =]

07-02-2004, 01:36 AM	#1
Fantasmic Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sunnyvale California Posts: 10	Cardinal Tetras! Hey there! I went to the fish store today and bought some (2) cardinal tetras. I have a ten gallon tank being set up for them but for now, are in a 5 gallon. I was wondering how many would be good and what other fish would be good, for tankmates in a 10gal. Thanks!! Ohh one more question. About how much would you say cardinal tetras usually go for? Don't wanna be getting ripped off! -Kimmy

07-02-2004, 01:40 AM	#2
medge00 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 540 Images: 7	you should get more... they like to be in groups. get a bottom feeder of some sort, like cories. good tank mates, interesting to watch __________________ That'll do pig, that'll do

07-02-2004, 04:00 AM	#3
shawmutt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 2,050 Images: 6	Agreed with medge, cories are the way to go. You should have at least 6 cardinals. However, there is a problem. By the time you are done adding fish 6 cardinals and 3-4 cories, you are overstocked. With excellent maintenence it is possible though. Just keep on top of your water changes. I payed $3.99 each for my cardinals! Actually, that was the price if I bought one or two--they were 4 for $15. Quick question for you...how long has your tank been up and running? Cardinal tetras do better with an established tank--at least 6 months. __________________ ~Mike Shaw Shawmutt.com. Blogs and Pictures of the Massively Multiplayer Offline game, Real Life.

07-02-2004, 04:18 AM	#5
shawmutt Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Greencastle, PA Posts: 2,050 Images: 6	I would recommend transferring most of the water from the 5 gallon into the 10. Also, if you aren't using the substrate from the 5 gallon, put the substrate in a filter bag (available in your [acronym:b46e6afb49="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:b46e6afb49]) and stick it in the 10 to "seed" the bacteria colony and reduce cycling times. Good Luck! __________________ ~Mike Shaw Shawmutt.com. Blogs and Pictures of the Massively Multiplayer Offline game, Real Life.

07-02-2004, 09:14 AM	#6
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	Welcome to AA! I will second Shawmutt here and recommend against cycling a tank with cardinals, since at least around here, they tend to be somewhat delicate, and a bit expensive. If possible, keep the 2 in the 5gal for now and fishless cycle the 10gal, and then when it is ready you can move them over and get some mates - they will do better if you have more of them, as mentioned. Good luck, and I really applaud your choice of fish -cardinals are one of my alltime favorites. __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

07-02-2004, 04:03 AM	#4
Fantasmic Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sunnyvale California Posts: 10	I'm getting the 10 gallon tomorrow for a really good deal too. I'll start running it then. My tetras costed me $2.99 each and they are in great condition! Very pretty too! -Kimmy

07-02-2004, 03:43 PM	#7
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	i never knew cardinals were so expensive. here their as much as the neons or 1.50 __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-02-2004, 03:47 PM	#8
madasafish Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY, NY Posts: 2,260 Images: 73	Yeah, around NY, we can be lucky and get them for as little as $1.50 or $1.99. Around here, these don't survive particularly well. The shipping process tends to weaken their immune system, so when they're introduced into a tank, the tank must be fully cycled and stable. I'd keep them in the 5 for now. Sorry to be a killjoy. I'd get a school of 6-8 for a 10 gallon. __________________ [acronym:3ff24413a5="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:3ff24413a5] is a blessing, not a disease.

07-02-2004, 07:14 PM	#9
Fantasmic Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sunnyvale California Posts: 10	Oh yeah of course! Fishless cycle, definatly. I agree, they're some of my favorite colored fish and I'll probably get a few more for the 10gal. Thanks!

07-07-2004, 05:25 PM	#10
blipblop Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MA Posts: 116	yeah, i have a 10g tank about 3 weeks into a fishless cycle and i want 3 corys and maybe 6-7 cardinal tetras =]

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