Aquarists tend to be conscientious of their choices in freshwater fish species. No one would host a high-maintenence miniature ecosystem in their home without having adequate respect for the creatures in their care. One way that aquarists may choose to demonstrate their admiration for their fish is by choosing the cardinal tetra. The purchase of these brightly colored fish may help to protect its natural home.
The cardinal tetra is closely related to the neon tetra and nearly identical, but it is much less common in the aquarium trade. The reason for this is that neon tetras breed very eagerly in captivity, whereas cardinal tetras are prolific only in the wild, and are reluctant to breed except under ideal conditions in a captive environment.
Because of this, almost all cardinal tetras available on the market today are wild-caught. Although wild-caught fish species are frowned upon by many conscientious aquarists, the neon tetra is one that actually benefits the environment.
Although resistant to breeding efforts when held captive, cardinal tetras reproduce very readily in the wild, and they are in no way threatened in their native habitats, the upper Orinoco River and Negro River of South America.
Many of the people native to and living in these areas of Amazon rainforest have been able to make a fairly good income capturing and selling these fish. Not only does this help to bring jobs to an impoverished region, but it also protects the rainforest because the fish can be collected without the people having to resort to deforestation or unsustainable agriculture.
These environmentally friendly options for freshwater aquaria are a breath of fresh air for the Amazon rainforest, and they actually help to protect this charming, beautiful species. Because of this, many aquarists are choosing cardinal tetras over their close relatives, neon tetras.
There are other benefits to choosing cardinal tetras over neon tetras, as well. As a result of long-term inbreeding as a result of profit-driven mass marketing, neon tetras are now somewhat sickly, often living only a few months except in very well-kept aquaria. The cardinal tetra, because it has not been overbred or inbred, has none of the weaknesses associated with being overly domesticated.
Aquarists, Brazilian natives, and cardinal tetras alike can benefit from the sale of these beautiful wild-caught fish. In addition, nearly every other creature living in the fertile forests of the Amazon river basin might be protected with the continued purchase of these creatures.
Although slightly more expensive than their neon tetra cousins, cardinal tetras provide an invaluable service to the planet and our society, and they also tend to be healthy and long-lived in a well-kept aquarium. Aquarists should consider purchasing cardinal tetras if they are interested in conscientious fishkeeping.
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