Harder, Cardinal or neons?

[Maj0rFiSh]

What would you say are a harder type of fish, if there is a harder one, Cardinals or neon tetras, as they basically look identical (At my LFS they do), i want to get a load for one of my tanks, i want one that will be a bit harder and live longer, what is my best option?

Thanks!

 

[geoffgarcia]

personally I find neons harder to keep than cardinals.
The biggest factor will be their age.
Baby neons at my LFS are about 0.50$ while mature ones go for about 1$ each
Cardinals usually come in standard and jumbo (at my lfs) and they are 1.25/1.75$

 

[JSchmidt]

I have generally found cardinals to be hardier, although I found some Florida farm-raised neons that were exceptionally healthy and hardy. They tend to be 2 to 4 times more expensive around here than the usual imported neons.

Jim

 

[Maj0rFiSh]

Yes sorry i meant hardier, not harder to keep, sorry

 

[RTR]

For me, the hardiness is about the same. But the source of the fish is critical. Imports from Brazil or Florida-bred I will buy. Nothing bred in SE Asia will come into my tanks.

 

[Maj0rFiSh]

Why not SE Asia, you wouldnt have say, a pygmy puffer?

 

[IndianaSam]

Why not SE Asia, you wouldnt have say, a pygmy puffer?

I think he's referring to the generally poor(er) quality of fish that are bred in SE asia compared to wild caught or fish bred in Florida.

Neons that are bred in FL are (IME) hardier than those bred in SE Asia.

 

[RTR]

I do have dwarf puffers.

I have nothing against SE Asian native fish, only against those farmed there. Most of their fish farming pactices are poor.

 

[greenday04]

I have heard that cardinals are hardier than the neons that is why I am considering them, 10 or so for my 20g reg along with 2 dwarf blue neon gourami's and 3 dwarf spotted cories. To me they don't look that different although I have recently been liking the cardinal a bit more. My dad always had neons but it seemed that he was always replacing them. (maybe he wasn't sure about fish keeping, his fish always seemed to die, cycling is the culpret I am figuring).

If I get them from my LFS and I ask them where they came from what more info do I need to insure that they are telling me truthfully. I would assume that they have records to show the public. My LFS just got a bunch of cardinals in.

Thanks and sorry to elaborate!!
:bowing:

 

[aquariumfishguy]

If you are going to get one or the other, get the Cardinals. I have never really had much luck keeping neon’s... cardinals; on the other hand, have always done well for me. JME.