Neons and Cardinals

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BrettRox

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Jul 15, 2004
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What's the difference? I've read about whole red stripe thing as the physical difference between these two species, but are there any differences in behavior, hardiness, longevity, etc. that I should be aware of when deciding between the two? Thanks! :)
 
Cardinals are still mostly wild caught, and so will have better schooling behavior than captive bred neons. Cardinals are also hardier once established--more robust gene pool. Cardinals can require longer acclimation to out-of-range water conditions, though. Lifespan is pretty similar, as are nutritional needs.
 
Actually I believe that Neons at least potentially live longer. For me they both make about six years, but there are lots of reports of Neons making 10 years - including Baensch's Atlas.

But I prefer Cardinals myself, and would not allow a SE Asian bred Neon in my house.
 
Neons also prefer cooler temperatures (low to mid 70's), while cardinals seem to be more comfortable in the range where we "normally" keep our tanks (upper 70's to low 80's). I've had pretty good luck with cardinals as companions for discus, for example.
 
Where do these two species originate? I was under the impression that neons were from the western hemisphere and cardinals from the eastern. However, lately I've read some info leading me to believe I have that backwards. Most convincing was the Amazon exhibit at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, where they had massive schools of Cardinal tetras, but no Neons to be found anywhere.

More closely related to the original topic, which species grows larger? The cardinals at the Aquarium and some I saw on display (not for sale) at That Fish Place the other day were quite large. Almost 2" long at TFP and close to 2.5" or more at the Aquarium. Will neons also grow that large?
 
neons are smaller in size than cardinals. I have cardinals, but they seem to be really fragile fish. My boyfriend and I bought 10 and we have only had 3 make it. all the other fish we have purchased throughout this year have had no problems. Just my opinion though!
 
b4au, what is the ph of your water? Cardinals need a ph between 6.4-6.8 to do well. My lfs says that they are hardier than neons when kept in the proper ph. They will not even sell them to you without a water sample for them to test.
 
RTR said:
But I prefer Cardinals myself, and would not allow a SE Asian bred Neon in my house.
Click to expand...

I see. Some racism, I believe. RTR, would you like to step outside and partake in some fisticuffs, or would you rather take then paces and fire? Hmmp. :mad:
 
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