Cardinal Tetras-Are they still as fragile as they once were??

Hi
In my experience I had far more trouble with neons, I put 18 cardinals in a paludarium in 99 and 14 of them lived until
10. Had always blammed the neons on the florida heat. Whatever they died like flies. Most of the LFS here won't even carry cardinals "Too delicate " lol I moved the cards into a 20 as I returned the paludarium back to an aquarium within a week. Reminds me that all the LFS refused to carry cards "Far too delicate"
Oh well you pay your money and takes your chances?? lol gary
 
Over a year ago(in November 2010), I ordered 12 Cardinal Tetra from liveaquaria.com.

They sent me 16.

5 died within the first week. The 6th died a month later of bloating. Whatever you call it, it was huge with scales raised...and it didn't eat until it died.


The rest 10 lived for over a year and still kicking. They even spawned in my community tank, but that was a while ago.
[video=youtube;AML9VcN7sBU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AML9VcN7sBU[/video]
This video was taken in February 2011, which was 4 months after I bought them. But all of these remaining 10 are still alive and kicking. They are a lot bigger than when they first came in.
 
I read the first post and Petsmart instantly popped in my head. I have this problem almost every time. they get 10 and have the $1 sale. It is the only time i will risk it since about only 3 make it and the manager will blame you for deaths saying I bought too many and caused an ammonia spike. I have had better success latley by putting them in a 20L loaded to the gills with plants and feeding high protein diet.
 
guppymonkey said:
I read the first post and Petsmart instantly popped in my head. I have this problem almost every time. they get 10 and have the $1 sale. It is the only time i will risk it since about only 3 make it and the manager will blame you for deaths saying I bought too many and caused an ammonia spike. I have had better success latley by putting them in a 20L loaded to the gills with plants and feeding high protein diet.
Click to expand...

No they didn't come from Petsmat. I worked at a little mom and pop fish store at the time and ordered them myself. Brought them straight home off the truck and drip acclimated them into my 20L QT tank. I think it was just poor stock.

Funny thing though....I was telling my husband and 17 year old son that I was going to order more, they are tank raised now etc. I made the comment "I'm surprised how LONG these 6 have lived!! I didn't think they would live that long" I figured it was close 3 years ago I got them. My son and husband exchange a look and my husband says "Well....you remember when you were in the hospital last summer? They may have died" It seems as though they *forgot* about the fish tank during my hospitalization and two days before I came home my son pulled the dead, took the bodies to the LFS and bought replacements!! LOL. He said I lost all the cardinals, a few of the other smaller fish, and a male guppy. I was in no condition when I got home to notice. ;). So, those cardinals have only been in there almost a year and son just tossed them in. They must not be quite so fragile. lol. Something more than just "Forgetting to feed" happened but they aren't fessing up to that.

Which leads me to the question- What is the general life span of cardinals??
 
hi
Curious as to how they come up with the longevity figures?? I had 14 of 18 live 11 years.
I've heard wild ones live less than a year . How in the heck would they know that??
Imagine trying to tag those little fish lol gary
 
garyfla said:
hi
Curious as to how they come up with the longevity figures?? I had 14 of 18 live 11 years.
I've heard wild ones live less than a year . How in the heck would they know that??
Imagine trying to tag those little fish lol gary
Click to expand...
They probably get eaten mostly within a year in the wild.

Are you serious about your Cardinal lived 11 years?
 
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