【Child】”Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fish of infinite hue, most excellent form. Where be your brilliant colors now? Your dazzling scales?” Professor, could such a vivid fish, a living work of art like Hamlet’s Yorick, exist in an aquarium?
【Professor】Ah, child, your query reminds me of the cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)! A small freshwater fish of dazzling colors that brighten up any fish tank. Let us embark on a journey to learn more about these aquatic wonders.
### 2. Characteristics
【Child】”A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” as Keats once said. Would you be so kind as to elaborate on the aesthetic marvels of this cardinal tetra, dear professor?
【Professor】Indeed, a thing of beauty, dear child. Measuring around 2 inches long, cardinal tetras are adorned with striking colors; their slender bodies are painted with a bold iridescent blue stripe running from nose to tail, and a vibrant red stripe beneath its shimmering blue counterpart. Indeed, their splendid hues remind me of the colors used by great artists like Vermeer and Monet.
### 3. Habitat
【Child】Ah, nature’s picturesque canvas! Where do these swimming masterpieces reside, professor? Do they cavort among seashell-covered banks in Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” or amidst the lush foliage of Rousseau’s jungle paintings?
【Professor】Oh, what an enthralling image you paint, my young friend! In reality, cardinal tetras find their homes in South America’s tropical freshwater environments, specifically the Orinoco and Negro river basins. They reside in calm, slow-moving waters, surrounded by dense vegetation. In your grand aquarium, they shall enjoy soft, slightly acidic water, mimicking the majestic blackwater habitats of their natural havens.
### 4. Husbandry Requirements
【Child】By Asclepius’ cauldron, professor! How might we maintain the delicate balance of life for these piscine Picassos in our humble tanks?
【Professor】Your dedication to our finned friends is truly commendable! To maintain their aquatic abodes, provide water temperatures between 73°F and 81°F, a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5, and adequately filtered waters. Alas, these delicate artists require a spacious canvas to exhibit their natural grace, as they thrive in planted tanks of 20 gallons or more. Their hearty diet shall encompass a tapestry of live, frozen, and high-quality dried foods.
### 5. Behavior
【Child】Great Galileo! Fain would I know how these swimming jewels of the aquatic Aether move about and behave. Speak, good professor!
【Professor】Ah, music to my ears! Though nocturnal creatures, cardinal tetras engage in schooling, whirling about in a spectacle that brings joy to all who gaze upon their brilliantly choreographed ballets. As they are at home amidst the densely-planted vegetation, these Tetras prefer to entertain their audiences in the company of their friends, their synchronized movements the epitome of natural harmony.
### 6. Breeding
【Child】Fair professor, pray tell, how does one propagate the progeny of these dainty Davincis?
【Professor】Ah, the miracle of life! To breed cardinal tetras, provide them with a separate breeding tank filled with soft, slightly acidic water. Create a tranquil environment using fine-leaved plants or breeding mops. When conditions are favorable, courtship displays shall unfold before your very eyes, culminating in a mélange of vibrantly pigmented eggs.
### 7. Cautions
【Child】Beware, O professor, for “all that glitters is not gold.” What perils might our glistening friends encounter, perhaps from jealous fish with evil intent?
【Professor】An astute observation, wise child. Within your aquatic kingdom, choose your subjects carefully, for cardinal tetras prefer serenity over conflict. Hence, avoid housing them with aggressive or substantially larger fish. Also, stay vigilant about water quality and chemical fluctuations, as these small wonders are sensitive to their environment.
### 8. Conclusion
【Child】Many thanks, kind sage, for enlightening me on the wondrous world of cardinal tetras. Methinks these watery wonders would make a heavenly addition to any aquarium!
【Professor】Indeed, their vibrant presence shall light up even the darkest corners of your aquatic realm. With careful attention to their needs, these celestial beings shall flourish and bring joy to all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance. Ever may your aquarium be graced by their spectral dance!