The Cardinal Tetra, a native to the upper Orinoco and Negro River basins across Columbia, Brazil, and Venezuela, has been around the hobby since the 1930's. A wonderful and colorful community tank inhabitant, this peaceful fish prefers softer and slightly acidic water parameters. Best if kept in schools of 6 or more. There is some ongoing concern about this fish in its native habitat due to unsustainable fishing methods and efforts are under way to alleviate these concerns and create a sustainable cardinal tetra fishery in these regions.