tetras: cardinals vs. neon

[Jharvey]

Hi folks - I'm thinking about a school of tetras for my 29 gallon. Any thoughts about neon vs. cardinals? I read one place that cardinals are more difficult/sensitive.

tank plan: mollies, guppies, tetras, (maybe corys)

29g high planted tank, 80 deg.

 

[Barliman]

Hi folks - I'm thinking about a school of tetras for my 29 gallon. Any thoughts about neon vs. cardinals? I read one place that cardinals are more difficult/sensitive.

tank plan: mollies, guppies, tetras, (maybe corys)

29g high planted tank, 80 deg.

More neons are farm raised and so better able to adapt to our water conditions, while cardinals are more often imported and subject to a lot more stress in shipping and water they're not accustomed to.

Personally, I prefer cardinals, but the neons I bought from a reputable store are doing great.

 

[Delapool]

I prefer cardinals as well. Here, in theory they should be a little tougher as get a little bigger but I've never noticed much difference.

 

[Autumnsky]

Sort of depends on pH too, Cardinals will prefer a lower pH standard out of the tap than Neons. So if you are in a harder water area try Neons.

Also as Barliman touched on, look for tank bred rather that wild caught fish. They tend to be easier to adjust to your tank and haven't been through all trapping and carting (as many miles and as long of travels) and are usually used to eating fish food.

 

[Jharvey]

Thanks everyone. My ph is 7.8 so I'll probably go with neon. Good points about wild vs. bred - I'll ask about that,too.

 

[shrimpandram]

I keep them both in the same tank. Cardinals looks better than neon on my opinion.

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[Delapool]

I keep them both in the same tank. Cardinals looks better than neon on my opinion.

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I agree - I prefer the cardinals there on colour.

 

[Barliman]

I agree - I prefer the cardinals there on colour.

Yep, I like the aqua stripe going the full length of the body. Though my neons have reminded just how pretty they can be.

 

[dcutl002]

I prefer Cardinals. I have also found that when Cardinals are placed into a "planted" tank they do very well. Hmm...I guess that is pretty much all fish.


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[Brookster123]

Green neons are the bestest...

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