neon tetra vs cardinal tetra?

**LORENZO** · 12-05-2008, 11:28 PM

now they say the cardinal is able to withstand higher temperatures than the neon is this true??? They always picture the cardinal with a discus not a neon. And why are the cardinals harder to come by in the hobby?

**Algenco** · 12-05-2008, 11:31 PM

they aren't hard to find here, part of the problem may be that the majority of Cardinals are wild caught

**cocoa_pleco** · 12-05-2008, 11:31 PM

neon tetras can get neon tetra disease, and there is a chance that if a fish pecks at a dead infected neon, it will get the disease too. i know a guy who lost $500 of discus a while after adding some neons to his tank because of a affected neon

cardinal tetras are the only tetra immune to the disease, which is why most people choose them over neons

**korith** · 12-05-2008, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by LORENZO

now they say the cardinal is able to withstand higher temperatures than the neon is this true??? They always picture the cardinal with a discus not a neon. And why are the cardinals harder to come by in the hobby?

They aren't hard find and are hardier than a neon. I think they do cost a bit more than a neon though.

**Algenco** · 12-05-2008, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by korith

They aren't hard find and are hardier than a neon. I think they do cost a bit more than a neon though.

wholesale cost is only a few cents difference, Cardinals get a tiny bit bigger than neons and better looking

**The Wedge** · 12-05-2008, 11:37 PM

When I had a FWPT in my aquapod...I had Cardinals...I like cardinals much better. I know it is subjective but I believe they are nicer looking.

**korith** · 12-05-2008, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Algenco

wholesale cost is only a few cents difference, Cardinals get a tiny bit bigger than neons and better looking

Think the lfs here usually have neons a buck or so cheaper than cardinals.

**Northernguy** · 12-05-2008, 11:40 PM

A cardinal has a full red belly and is a hardier breed. Also as Cocoa says they do not get neon tetra disease.

**LORENZO** · 12-06-2008, 12:23 AM

[COLOR="Blue"]oh now this is interesting..... i think the cardinal can take warmer temperatures than a neon. But i have never heard of a dead neon causing neon disease. So the cardinal is a bit more expensive. i was just looking them up on google. WEll now if you fatten your neon up he will get as nice as any cardinal. I only have neons in a tank. Northern Guy should go look at the gallery pic i posted. cocoa pleco should to take a look at the blue discus eating worms. i have them posted now in the gallery. anyone else go under discus and you will see them. Y0ou can't find cardinals here easily. nope.