Neons vs Cardinals

[Love2Fish]

Hey, this is what my stocking is like so far... I have a 55 g tank with the following in it

6 zebra danios
6 cory cats
2 female swordtails
4 male guppies.

I am planning on getting a clown pleco eventually, and finishing off with a Pearl Gourami. Now here is the question. The next fish I get I am going to add some tetras. I like the looks of the Cardinal tetra's better than the neons. Would it be safe to go with 6 cardinals instead of 6 neons, or are they too slow? Also, could I maybe like get a couple cardinals, and a few other smaller tetras, would they school together? Any suggestions? Just like the idea of having some diverse fish in there and some better stuff to look at, and the neons seem to zoom around pretty good, which I like, but I think I would prefer if there is some way to mix and match and still go with my basic stocking idea, because I think I have a good mixture of fish that go in the top, middle, and bottom of my tank. Thanks

 

[bruinsbro1997]

You could mix five cardinals with five neons.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I have had Neons and Cardinals in the same tank and they'll shoal together as if they were the same exact species. Overall, I agree with you in that I think the Cardinals are more pleasant to look at due to their superior vibrancy and color. Also, I'm not sure if this is totally accurate but I've heard from a few sources that Cardinals tend to be a little hardier than the Neons; although both are known to be sensitive fish regardless.

 

[Love2Fish]

OK thanks for the replies. Still debating, I really don't want to get 10 of them because I want to have some room in my tank in case after awhile I decide there is some other kind of fish I want or if some pop some babies out or whatever. One of my new guppies died yesterday, the most colorful one I had, bright yellow like a bumblebee. I got home from work and he was stuck on the filter. I went and got a little blue one to replace him so I have even numbers at least.

 

[Love2Fish]

Anyone else have any ideas? thanks. Prob will get some this weekend

 

[HalfMoon B]

Have you considered black neon? Same size as cardinals, and much more vibrant with the bright neon green and black stripes.

 

[Love2Fish]

Have you considered black neon? Same size as cardinals, and much more vibrant with the bright neon green and black stripes.

Was thinking of that but would it be ok to get a few of each instead of like 6 of one kind

 

[HalfMoon B]

They *should* shoal together, but there are never guarantees

 

[KatieJ]

They'd likely be skittish, stressed and more prone to disease if not kept in schools.

 

[HalfMoon B]

They'd likely be skittish, stressed and more prone to disease if not kept in schools.

Agreed, always better to keep a full school than hoping they join another species...