Cardinals vs. Neons

teh13371

yeah, most of my neons are fine and even though one has been having a discoloration, he is getting much better and no reports of ntd yet!


GO NEONS!

jr.masterbreeder

Neons all the way for me!!! Way more colorful and add much more life to the tank. I like the dark on the cardnals but i like the neons and flames

jackblack1112

i prefer Neon Tetra i like the coloration

Heiko Bleher

Hi, all of you voters,

my name is Heiko Bleher and I just want to make some comment in regards to neon, cardinals & co.

First of all I wanted to say something which some you might not know: that there are 4 neons (genus Paracheirodon), now simply because I found a 4th one in 2006 and again collected it in 2007 and I think it will be published soon in TFH and elsewhere.

Secondly: neons are to 99%, those in the hobby, breed worldwide and unfortunately like you said in the beginning, there is a lot of inbreeding around which has weakened the stock and those you buy are very sensitive, their immune system is not to be compared anymore to the wlld. I suggest one of two things for those who love neons (alternative blue neons: P. simulans):
1. Ask at the source for wild neons (they are still imported from Peru) and if they do not have them,
2. try to get German breed neons, as those are much more resistant and than the ones breed in China (Hong Kong region and Guanzghou).

Thirdly: for the cardinal lovers, I just wanted to say, that they must be more expensive, as about 90% of those you find are from the wild (only about 10% comes from breeders in the Czech republic, from Russia and very few from Asia). So normally they are more resistant (but also should have lower pH to drive well, as I just collected cardinals again last November and those were living in pH 3.4 ). Cardinals are brighter in color, might also grow larger (a friend of mine had them for 10 years and changed water once), but I think for along time will still be more expensive (although I think $7 is really unreal...).

You all should consider the blue neon, it is the smallest and least read, but a beauty as well, because its neon-stripe gos all the way across into its tail (not with the other two). Or you wait for neon number 4 (I guess it should be called the green neon, as its neon-stripe is very bright, almost green, but brightest of all and goes to the adipose fin, also its red it is the strongest of all four).

So look out for the latter, only I think it will take a few years time, such as it took with the neon-rainbowfish (Melanotaenia preacox), which I introduced and now is one of the most sold aquarium fishes worldwide - big competitor to neons, cardinals & co....

Good night

Heiko Bleher
www.aquapress-bleher.com (have a look)
www.aqua-aquapress.com

NirV

I find cardinals to be hardier, contrary to popular belief. this is after 13 years of keeping one or the other at most times. Cardinals are also more attractive in my opinion, don't fight as much and are seen more often. If you can keep a blackwater tank, they are a must-have.

Tyyrlym

I actually prefer the partial red stripe of the neon. Around here a neon is $1.99 and a cardinal is $2.99 so there's no real reason you can't have cardinals if you want them.

sweetwaterarabians

I have to say I'm a HUGE fan of both fish. They are both awesome but I have to say I like the cardinal's extra flash and brightness a little more.

Right now I'm trying cardinals for the first time. I have wanted to try them for years but was too afraid too. I had had neons for several years and after my school had dwindled a little to unknown reason I bought some more to replenish and make a bigger school only to have all the new ones die within days killing off my old ones as well. Strange; but I figured it must have been the Neon Tetra Disease since it killed the ones I already had. There was nothing wrong with my tank. So in fear of the disease I bought some cardinals instead and found them on sale and got them cheaper than the Neons ($1.69). Since they were shipped here I did loose a few the first few days but the rest appear to be thriving so far. I LOVE them! I hope I have them for many years.

okiemavis

I agree. Cardinals aren't so hyper commercially bred so they have less genetic weaknesses. They're my preference.