Difference Between Cardinal Tetra And Neon Tetra?

[Batzman]

Hey there, could be a dumb question, but what is the difference between cardinal tetra and neon tetra?

cheers,

 

[-SPB-]

Found this on another site:

Question: How to Tell Neon and Cardinal Tetras Apart

Recently I purchased what I thought were Neon Tetras, but a friend said they are really Cardinal Tetras. How can I tell the difference?
Answer: A: Neon and Cardinal Tetras are similar in appearance, and are often confused with each other. However there is one very easily identifiable difference. In the Cardinal Tetra the red stripe on the lower half of the body extends the full length of the fish from the eye area to the tail. In the Neon Tetra the red stripe only begins at mid-body, roughly below the dorsal fin, and extends to the tail.

Pictured here is a side by side comparison of the two fish. The Cardinal is on the top, the Neon on the bottom.

Neon Tetras
Neon Tetras have been in the aquarium trade the longest, and are usually the least expensive of the two species. They are also a bit smaller than Cardinal Tetras, and rarely reach an adult size of more than one inch. They do best in soft acidic water with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and a hardness level of 5 to 10 dGH. Neons are schooling fish, and should always be kept in groups of five or more.

Cardinal Tetras
Cardinal Tetras have surpassed Neons and are highly in demand in the aquarium trade. As a result, they are often priced a little higher than their smaller and less brilliant cousins. Although they prefer soft acidic water as the Neons do, they are more demanding, preferring a pH below 6 and a hardness level below 5 dGH. Adult Cardinals will reach a length of nearly two inches. Like Neons they are best kept in schools of five or more.

Both the Cardinal and Neon Tetras are very sensitive to overall water quality, pH and hardness. For that reason they should not be introduced to a newly set up aquarium, where changes in water parameters are inherent during the break-in period. To ensure success, wait until the aquarium has been well established and the proper water chemistry is in place before investing in these attractive but sensitive fish.

 

[millym]

we found despite popular belief that cardinals are much hardier than neons, we used to keep neons but they died one by one of neon tetra disease & other unknown causes over a short time , we've had 4 of our cardinals for going on 6 years now with no probs, i think the problem was that the neons we were getting were too inbred & had caused them to be 'weak' shame as they were lovely but we didnt get more as we couldnt bear to see more little fish die. our cardinals live in a 'hard ' water area as well despite them being known for 'soft ' water preference ( but our lfs has the same crap water we have from thames water) they also do need a mature tank to do well. both beautiful little fish

 

[ShoC]

I belive I reas some where, Might be wrong that Cardinals cant be afflicted by NTD

 

[simonas]

Ihave read somewhere that neons preer cooler water to cardinals

 

[Ludwig Venter]

IMO, Cardinals are much more colourful than neons.....

 

[StandbySetting]

Similar looking fish, SPB sums it up well, and as simonas said, Cardinal Tetra's are much better for set ups containing things like Blue Rams and Discus where the temperature is generally above 28oC, Neons are suited to set ups where the temperature is slightly cooler 22-26oC.

 

[snowflake311]

I just got 2 Cardinal tetras by mistake. I saw what I thought were noens in a tank that was too high up for me to get a good view. Once the kid bagged them I saw they were in fact Cardinals. Since they were bagged I took them home to my neons. They school with the neons. They do have much better color then the neons because of the solid red. Very nice fish.