In the wild, Cardinal tetras live in slow-moving streams and river tributaries that flow through densely forested areas. The Cardinal Tetraįirst of all, let’s discuss the bright and beautiful Cardinal tetra. In this part of our comparison guide to these two extremely popular aquarium fishes, we take a closer look at some of the similarities and differences between them. Both Cardinal and Neon tetras are schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least six individuals to thrive in captivity.Ĭomparing Neon Tetras And Cardinal Tetras.Cardinal tetras are, therefore, more sensitive to unstable or varied water conditions. Over time, that has made the Neon tetra much more tolerant of a wide range of water conditions. Neon tetras are typically hardier than Cardinals, largely because the Neon tetra is commercially bred in huge numbers, specifically for the pet trade.Also, if you want to breed your fish at home, Neon tetras are typically easier to breed than their lookalike Cardinal cousins. Neon tetras are generally regarded as being easier to care for than the Cardinals.Cardinal tetras are slightly larger than Neons, reaching approximately 2 inches in length vs.Cardinal and Neon tetras are two different species of tetras, although they both belong to the same family, Characidae.

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