Are there many different types of cardinal tetras?

[yeoyl87]

Just a question. Are there many different type of cardinals? I thought all cardinals are wild caught? How come at some lfs, their cardinals is thin and long while some lfs got broader and brighter colour type? Different species or dif water condition?

[Aquaculture]

Most of the cardinals we see at lfs are farm bred ones. I've only seen wild caught ones a couple of times. They're thinner with more vibrant colours. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Quixotic]

yeoyl87, if you were to ask this question a few years ago, the answer would be yes, Paracheirodon axelrodi in the trade are wild caught. But the farms have managed to produce this fish now, and in different variants too, particularly the Czechs.

I think there are gold and platinum variants in the market, but not as easily available in Singapore LFS. Note that these are variants and not new species.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=25763

A number of phenotypes supposedly exist in the wild, in several different natural colour forms. There are also differences in the Rio Negro and Rio Orinoco population. I doubt these has ever been available in our LFS.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=22120

Aquaculture could be correct on differentiating wild and farm bred, as wild fishes tend to be more delicate and difficult to adapt, but this is not foolproof as poor tank conditions can lead to the described observation.

[o2bubble]

I think there are generally 2 different varieties is cardinals in my opinion, one with blue and the other with green strips... as I always notice the difference. I think size if not a factor though... just feed well, they will get to jumbo size.

[Quixotic]

Nope, they are not different varieties.

Jennifer Clothier & J. N. Lythgoe (1987), Light-induced colour changes by the iridophores of the Neon tetra, Paracheirodon innesi. Journal of Cell Science 88: 663-668. Here is the abstract.

The iridophores of the Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi consist of alternating layers of guanine and cytoplasm. In the dark-adapted state the reflected light from constructive interference is in the ultraviolet or blue. When exposed to light the cytoplasm layers increase in thickness and as a result the reflections shift to longer wavelengths and the iridophores appear green. The iridophores are thought to contain a rhodopsin-like molecule and we suggest that the colour-change mechanism involves the light-induced opening of sodium channels in the plasma membrane, leading osmotically to an increase in thickness of the cytoplasm layers. Experimental support for this suggestion was obtained by the substitution of choline chloride for sodium chloride in the perfusing medium, which can be done without altering the osmotic strength of the perfusing medium. This procedure almost abolished the light response and makes it seem likely that sodium ions are necessary for the light response to take place.

[o2bubble]

Thanks for pointing out!

[Heiko Bleher]

Hi all of you,

this is Heiko Bleher and I wanted to explain to some of you (or most of you), what it seems that you do not know.

There are the following Neons and Cardinals known today:

1. Paracheirodon innesi - the (normal) neon tetra, of which there are brilliant, golden, plantin or silver variants, all breed in Czech Republic (orignalley). And in the last years a lyretail version appeared also on the market.
Almost all neon tetra today in the hobby are tank breed fishes (mostly in Hong Kong and Germany), only very few wild neons are exported each yaer and only from Peru.
2. Paracherodon axelrodi - the cardinal tetra or red neon, of which there are no variants know, and no hybrids have been breed.
Almost all cardinals in the hobby are from nature - wild fishes. Very few are breed in Czech Republic for some time now, and elsewhere (ie Russia).
3. Paracheirodn simulans - green neon tetra (but also called blue by some). This third neon has never been breed (to my knowlege) and all in the hobby come from wild collecting.
4. Paracheirodon species new - a new neon I discovered last year and we are trying to breed them, as the location I discovered them (and to where I returned this year), are very few and it is extreme remote.
(see also my website: www.aquapress-bleher.com under latest news: Expedition Lago Aiapua).
The new neon (number 4) should be described soon.

So I hope this clears all your questions, and I wish you all a merry christmas and a healthy and happy new year,

always

Heiko Bleher

[koel9]

Good Morning Heiko, and thanks for sharing this good piece of 'first-hand' information.

Also, merry christmas and good health to you too.

Cheers

[wiki]

Wow Heiko! Its great to know you're in the forum too! Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year to you.

[Heiko Bleher]

Hi,
thank you guys – thank you so much for the nice wishes. I was just delivering sopme beautiful Alenque discus (two of them red) to my friend Andreas Sassi (Quality Discus, Lainate, Italy) to keep them for me, as I collected them for a great showp owner and discus lover in Athens, Greece. He had invited me (see under Latest news: www.aquapress-bleher.com) for several biotope lectures and others begin of this month, which was an incredible success, also to be seen under www.aquazone.gr
And from northern Milan I went down town with Natasha, which was incredible, hundreds if thousands of persons in Milan center and around the most beautiful cathedral on Earth, the incredible Duomo with the Madonina made from pure/solid gold on the highest of almost 1900 towers the Duomo has (more than any church).

There in the center everyone is already celebrating christmas next to the giant christmas tree, which is over 30 m and covered with white christams stars. We will put tomorrow, or the day after (24th) a photo of it on my website.

You all have a great one, and all the best, from one who goes out to collect (again in January...).

Always

Heiko

[wiki]

Thanks Heiko. Look forward to your updates...exploring new frontiers as always!

[DazzleDiscus]

I just had to add this- about two years ago when I was restocking, I came across some lovely cardinal tetras at a now closed lfs. When I asked about them the owner told me that he had a breeder in Florida, USA that bred Cardinal Tetras. Of course I brought them home with me! After checking with the other stores scattered around, I found that his was the only one that stocked farm-raised Cardinal tetras. Anyway, it's nice to know that people are breeding them in good quantities. When they were first introduced, it was thought to be nearly impossible to breed them... Glad that was proven wrong!
Around here in the US, at least where I live, green neons (Paracheirodn simulans) have been introduced only the last three months. They don't seem to be as big as a hit as the cheeper neons and cardinals though. personally, I would rather have the cardinals as they have brighter colors, but it depends on the tank's setup. Well now I'm rambling- Hope You've had a great Christmas! Happy soon-to-be New Year!