Cardinal Tetra Care Guide | How to Tell Cardinal Tetras & Neon Tetras Apart

[@AquariumCoop]

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[@Steve200300]

Love the cardinals how many in a 75 gallon tank please?

[@andygipson6415]

Just seen a vid about wild caught and farm raise , has changed my opinion , wild caught appears to be a good option as they mostly die as the amazon water level drops and it provides an alternative income to deforestation

[@sophiatv3697]

I have neons and cardinals they school really well

[@t-blade]

What’s the suggested number for a 15 gallon tank? I don’t want to overstock it but I want to have as many as possible as they enjoy a larger school. I had only one cardinal that hides in the same place for a year and after adding 12 recently, he started swimming around with them again! I do want to add more but I don’t think the tank is large enough for this.

[@williambeauregard3256]

your fish are beautiful

[@AquariumCoop]

Thank you.

[@SuperAndyyan]

Can you help me . Do Cardinal tetra Kill .Neon tetra Can this you fish together ?

[@louel9272]

I'll save you guys 4 and a half minutes, start the video at 4:33

[@RenitaWellmanPhD]

Cardinal tetras are so gorgeous. I’ve kept both neon and cardinal tetras and am always dazzled by the difference. Cardinals are even more “neon” with that strong coloring from head to tail.

[@wesker1079]

Would 6 neons and 6 cardinals get on? (in the same tank) also would they interbreed?

[@AJustlikethat]

that awkward moment when you bought cardinals because they were cheaper than neons, and felt like you got 'the lesser version of a neon tetra' but they actually turn out to be way cooler than neons due to color and size. (in my opinion)

[@NeonTetraAquarist]

AJustlikethat Not necessarily...😅

[@AJustlikethat]

Neon Tetra Aquarist not necessarily what? cardinals being cooler than neons? I know that's not necessarily true nor a fact, hence the 'in my opinion.' 😊 I personally ended up liking cardinals way better, even though they weren't my first choice.

[@NeonTetraAquarist]

I'm tied up with both😄...

[@beveridge1942]

I agree Cardinals are much more attractive than Neons..

[@VanBurgen]

Still not an awkward moment haha cardinals are so great

[@Damitsall]

Man is that an Aquarium store? If it is I really like your setup. Good information. I find Neons are easier to take care of overall. I find Neons are more willing to school with other fish compared to Cardinals.

[@jahurz93]

I have 9 of these in my 15 gallon tank. Was scared shitless as they were considered one of the non hardy fish and requires more attention in regards to water quality. They were a bit shy in the first two weeks but now they enjoy greeting any person that walks infront of the tank. Been 9 months now never had any incidents sometimes i have even forgotten to do weekly water changes nowadays but i never let it lapse for more than two weeks.

[@AquariumCoop]

*Need more fish care guides? Check out our favorite ones here: **geni.us/FishCareGuides*

[@billg2025]

Hello Cory..hoping to get down your way and check out your store. I live on Camano and I cant keep Cards alive to save my life. Liquid rock water, great for rift lake cichilds but Cardinals not so much. Would the tank raised be hardier do you think. I have Angels and I raised Discus when I was in Seattle. Any thoughts....R/O to expensive and we all know that buffers ph/up or down is a waste of time and money.....????? The angelfish do just fine...most last 10 or so years.....

[@karthik448]

I have a school of 50 cardinals and love them! One weird thing I've noticed is that they become very active after 12am.they all scoot around the tank and seem to be looking for something. They never do it in the day time though. They are all healthy and all so not really sure if this is something to worry about. Any one else experienced this before?

[@CookieManCookies]

They seem to be sensitive to light, perhaps they see you or other things moving during the day, and feel more shy? I know when I come over to look at my fish, they like to "bunch up" on one side of the tank.

[@EdWolfram]

Neons are better dithers in my experience. The loose schooling is the reason I assume.

[@keepingupwiththecichlids]

Love the vibrant colors of the cadinals. I just dont understand the appeal of the hybrid squashed balloon ram. The natural gbr's look much better and their organs have much more room to operate.

[@Unlucky403]

Those needle leaf java ferns look amazing

[@Chan-fi9bu]

I got a 200 gallon plants tank with only one betta inside and I can’t find him since last year

[@TheSuperCoolMan122]

lol

[@michaeltewell2659]

I just paid 6.99 each for captive bred cardinal tetras. I didn’t mind I would much rather have captive bred than wild caught

[@rugvedkulkarni1593]

The fish in the thumbnial are neon tetras.

[@Chris_Wolfgram]

Unless they changed it, the fish in the thumbnail for this video, is in fact, a Cardinal tetra. Do you know the difference ? They do look very similar.

[@aquascapermc9187]

Nope its a cardinal!

[@colinmonachus5920]

It’s not

[@mamamiabenjamia]

thank you for making up my mind, i would so much rather go with captive bred especially when the species look and behave so similar.

[@dominguezpalaciosjang]

I did that a few weeks ago, I was going to get cardinal tetras but ended up getting neons so I could get a bigger school, and It looks great,

[@AquariumCoop]

Yeah, a big school looks great ;)

[@lumpy1space2princess]

Ive got a 60 Gallon Hex. Moderate-heavy planted. I put 2 Discus in there with about 15 Cardinals, 6 Gold Cory Cats and 4 Pearl Gourami. They get along really nice and rarely come near eachother. The Gourami inhabit the top of the tank, the Cardinals compliment the Discus' huge size, and the Corydoras pick up the mess.

[@bolivianmn]

Has your stance on Cardinals been wild-caught changed since you made this video? I know you mentioned how sometimes taking away the ability of people fishing for wild fish, like the Cardinal, may lead the people to deforestation where it has an even bigger impact on the environment. Just curious since you have even been to Peru and seen first hand as well. Thanks

[@kdr1048]

I just got 7 cardinal tetras i love them. I also have 3 Neons so technically a school of 10 in a 20 long. Also have 4 glo fish tetras....could i add another school of 7 cardinals? It's also planted. Thanks cory

[@AquariumCoop]

Most likely yes.

[@myrainbow2u]

Hi, I already have 10 neons, will they go well mixed with cardinals?! Just saw a beautiful dark water tank in the aquarium with I think it was sagitaria plants, drift woods and a thick top layer of Brazilian penny wort and now I want to do that in my 55G. But I already have neons and want to add cardinals

[@foreverafather1st]

"that's not really an excuse" I love how real you keep it. You want the best for the fish and the people of various skill levels who buy them. Keep taking my money!

[@HAL_9000__]

Cardinal tetras are dying 😫. Started with six. Planned on getting more but two have died within the last four days. I heard Cardinals are not as hardy as other fish and they tend to die easier. The heartbreak of the hobby.

[@katiemusnicki9592]

I just saw some in a local aqua store. I thought, Wow! Those are the most vibrant neons I have ever seen! I didn't even talk to the owner about them. Just thought I knew what they were. Now pretty sure they were actually Cardinals. Thanks for the video Cory!

[@justinturner4850]

I finally found Cardinal tetras here on Maui. They are $10 each

[@MrAthalia123]

Wow that is way soo expensive. In Singapore u can buy bulk for only $S28 for 50 of them..

[@RenitaWellmanPhD]

What is the best size tank for a happy school?

[@mesmer3780]

Cardinals also don't live near as long as Neons, as I recall. Something like 3 - 5 years to Neon's 10 +

[@anoobis_]

Legit?

[@abrahamnutrition]

Cory, I have a Neon with mouth fungus. I have been treating with Melafix and Pimafix but they don't seem to be working. This has been going on for about 12 days. Is there a cure for this?

[@dynestis2875]

Basicly no information about care was given in this video except for the last minute

[@andystokes8702]

I love the fact that you go to so much effort to show us the difference between cardinals and neons. What I love even more is that the video is entitled ''Cardinal Tetra Care Guide'' and the picture that goes with it at the beginning shows Cory manically staring at a pair of .......... Neon Tetras. Can't believe nobody else has noticed.

[@nickjones7020]

Talk about expensive i paid 26 dollars for 6 of the cardinal tetras

[@BlackBrightKnight]

Bruh.... Cardinal & Neon need wood, stones, plants

[@Rainkit]

Man. I so wish you shipped fish. Selling neons for $1? I can't find anywhere selling them for less that $6.

[@apaiya8159]

Give me ur contac

[@jasonjoshua.]

Cardinals have a darker shade of blue compared to neons

[@ImWithTheScript]

I've only had fighter fish.. and sadly my recent beta died.. I have a 9 gallon tank with a small snail and few cherry shrimp. I'm after a nano fish.. what would you advise? I won't be getting another beta.

[@batkat0]

Chili rasbora 🌶️

[@somethingfishy4214]

would neons and cardinals school together?

[@lantaarnpaul7366]

how much gallon is the tank of the cardinal tetras

[@giyords]

can cardinal tetra crossed breed to neon tetra?

[@ryankursehuston]

What plant was in that 75 gallon?

[@sanveergill9770]

R Cardinal tetras good with neon tetras because I have 6 neons and 10 cardinals in the same tank?

[@AquariumCoop]

Sure, they do well together.

[@sanveergill9770]

+Aquarium Co-Op thx for letting me know

[@Syrinx222]

Fast forward 9 years and Cardinal Tetras are now some of the most popular fish in the hobby!

[@tanujchaudhuri799]

Woohooo!

[@kevinoconnell8242]

I have always had an aquarium, ok 40+ years. I always thought I knew enough. I have learned so much in the last few months after finding your channel, I am having a ton of fun. Your explanations of everything are so right on the money. this explanation of neons Vs cardinals is exactly what I am talking about. I would have never known any of this. Very impressed by your journey I must say and I cannot enjoy more your travel videos. Thanks for being there for us. Kevin O Sandown, NH

[@duncandonuts5268]

I think neons looks more slick, but cardinals looks more vibrant.

[@twigglywiggly4538]

Are neon tetras still a buck ?

[@rennapz9263]

What food are feeding them?

[@Venom-hq7ex]

Can you add different ones

[@dwayneparsons543]

Good info Corey!

[@IskanderVFX]

put a black bg on the neons... 😜

[@maryhelgesen5309]

I accidentally got sold a cardinal tetra will he live with blue neons or should I build up a cardinal tetra group

[@AquariumCoop]

It’ll settle in with the neons.

[@teamhex]

Could you put 10 of these in a 10 gallon with a dozen or so cherry shrimp? I'm thinking I want to get these, but I'm not 100% sure. What kind of plant was that in the neon tetra display tank? I'm curious about maybe setting up a tank like that. I like how they're long and spread out.

[@GatorsFishchannel]

teamhex I wouldn't add more then 8 neons to a 10 Gallon aquarium

[@FishRfun]

I've got 30 wild caught cardinals coming tomorrow. Got a deal I couldn't pass up. I've never had them before. I'm a bit worried because my water is hard and my ph is pretty high. Do you think 30 is enough to show that good schooling behavior?

[@mattyslicks]

What size tank is this again?

[@ndbyers23]

How many for a 20 gallon?

[@em_iatas]

Hey! I have a 3 gallon bowfront tank for my cubicle at work. It's fairly heavily planted. Has a Fluval U1 internal filter with both mechanical and biological filtration inside it. I've kept lots of neons and cardinals in the past in larger tanks at home (anywhere from 29gal to 100 gal), so I have experience with them, but have never kept any in this small of a tank. Do you think this would be a suitable tank for cardinals or neons? If so, how many would you put in there? Thanks! :)

[@dltguitar6532]

I have 6 in a 5 gallon so I’m sure you would be fine with at 4 or 5

[@batkat0]

I wouldn't put any schooling fish in a 3 gal 😬

[@anoobis_]

How big is this tank?

[@ryanjuguilon213]

Why do you advocate tank rainsed cardinals? Wild caught fish that are sustainable should be prioritized. You do know it supports the livelihood of the amozon fishermen right? Itherwise they would go into logging and mining in the amazon or even worse, slash and burn farming. Seriously people need to be mindful or what they are promoting.

[@tiffanyalananguyen5822]

colgate fish hehehe

[@billlooker2689]

How can I get 30 at $3

[@lisasaxon7828]

Hi Cory ...I’ve a 60 litre tank not densely planted but somewhat. I always get confused about what to keep, I start with one fish then in weeks I return n exchange fir another , then add something else. I’m never happy with my choices, it drives me mad. Anyhoo...started up thus 60 litre 4 weeks ago had a full moon mustard gas betta and 2 endlers coz they were cute (a male Japan blue and a male red double sword). I then went n bought 5 diamond tetras and dunno why I talked talked into a Panduro appisto...but I did. Ok...the appisto passed away after one day (swimming erratically ) and the diamonds appeared to be nipping at my betta so off they went back to the store. Yes, I do waste money which is stupid !!!. Ok on returning the diamond tetras I came home with 6 cardinal tetras but one looks weird n pale , unsure if I should isolate ( funny saying that in thus time if corona ) or is it just that he’s an oddball or maybe even a neon? Ok so today I went n picked up 5 more cardinals to make it a nice lil cool school - they aren’t even schooling, they’re just doing their own thang a few here n a few there ?? Why why why ? ....lol. Plus I got 2...yes “2” the dreaded number 2 long finned bronze Corydoras and 2 quite young electric blue rams. I would actually like 3 or 5 rams but that’s too many fish for a 60 litre. I don’t really like “clean up crew” fish ( visually they do nothing for me )but I thought it wise to get a couple to help with tank debri n bits n bobs. Do this is what I got in the 60 litre, a betta (which can easily be rehoused in his own 11 litre if need be) 2 electric blue rams, 2 corys, 11 cardinals and 2 wayward random endless (they can be taken to fish store if needed, whispers *sorry cute unique lil endlers*) thats 18 fish in a 60 litre, although a lot are very small. I am partial to rams n guess I wouldn’t mind just have 3 rams and the tetras ( wished they’d all school though, grrr) and did originally fancy 2 to 3 neon blue acaras alone in a tank with nothing else but tanks too small n they get big, so that idea went out the window. Tips and advice please sir on why aren’t cardinals schooling? And what on earth should I do when I can’t decide on what fish to keep or rehouse. I know it’s my decision but I just need to be told sometimes...lmao Lisa, west Australia . ‘Stay sage in Covid ‘ 💙🐟😻 Apologies for massive post, I talk too much

[@wesker1079]

I've got 8 in a 25L (planted) and 1 amano shrimp... Am I overstocked?

[@sseeaahhaawwkkssrule975]

I bought 10 of the Cardinals today. I have a 120g tank so I'm trying to get schools of 10 or more fish. So far I have a school of 12 Serpae Tetras and 10 Cardinals.

[@save7043]

I compared tank raised and wild cardinals. Tank raised colour is not as vibrant the wild ones. Do you see that too?

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

great video

[@djcharlesmumbai]

Cardinal tetra stomach getting fat wht is the cure

[@justinturner4850]

I have learned so much from you and the channel that I would GLADLY spend more to support you and thank you for the service you do to the hobby. On a side note, I would be thrilled to buy cardinals for $3!! Here on Maui neon tetras are $3.99 lol and I can’t even find cardinals. I’ve been waiting a month for any of the three pet stores here to get neons in stock even. I want a whole school SO bad!!

[@personwithnothing3163]

WAITT MAUI?? Hi I also live on maui and im a beginner aquarist do you know any good pet stores here??

[@justinturner4850]

@@personwithnothing3163 howzit! the Pet Shop in Wailuku has a good selection of plants, and is the only place here I’ve seen cardinal tetras. The kihei pet store has the best selection of sponge filters but a poor selection of fish and chemicals. And Petco has the lowest prices, best selection of fish, food, and a good selection of plants if you go right when they get shipments. (Wednesday or Thursdays.) you can save a lot of money on lighting and filters/pumps if you just buy online. I have had a mix of luck with fish from Petco though. I had two batches of neon tetras die but the third time I bought 18 and only lost 1. I think it’s extra tough on fish here because they spend so much time in shipping to get here, it’s probably super stressful on the fish. Anyway, good luck, LMK if you find anything cool! 🤙

[@personwithnothing3163]

@@justinturner4850 Ah thank you this is super helpful!! I’m going to try check out the Pet Shop today to get some plants and maybe some fish :). I’ve been trying to find Kuhli loaches but the closest place i could find them was in oahu but I cant go there. Thank you again for the help😁

[@NengVang2007]

I got 92g corner tank how many cardinal tetra can I have in the tank.

[@DebsInManchesterUK]

i just bought 5 cardinal today we have them in fish shops in the UK all the time Hope i look after them well they in a planted tank but it is only 10 gallon tank

[@PolitischeImmunität]

I kind of wonder how we can have cardinal tetras for 1,30€ in germany/europe and neon tetras for 1€... i mean its much longer way to ship wild chaughts to europe than shipping them to usa?!

[@samanthas969]

I know this video is old but i hope you bought some friends for that lonely ram😭 He was so cute hiding out behind the plant.

[@jwalkerj28]

Why are cardinal tetras marked with experts only can buy this was at live aquaria

[@delj3875]

Can Neons and cardinals handle salt treatment cory ? If they ever get sick

[@denniscloud]

I have cardinal tetra fish i bought 6 pieces but 2 died the next morning what should i do to save my fish

[@delj3875]

Can neons and cardinal tetras handle salt treatment ? If they are sick ? And how much salt cheers

[@mon_desespoir7504]

I bought 50 cardinal tetra for 20USD in Singapore

[@Steve200300]

Love cardinals how many cardinals in a 75 gallon tank please

[@johnwyatt3677]

Actually that's not true if that tank from far away had Cardinals in it you would know it they just glow

[@olaPRASINAgiatre]

i got a 60 litre tank an i have already 6 neon tetras. How much tetras you recommend to put in? Thanks

[@Jason.F.]

I have a 90 gal that I've kept African cichlids in for years. I'm thinking of going to a single species tank. I want to max out the amount the tank can handle over time. In your opinion how many neon or cardinal tetras could a well kept 90 gal support?

[@james7rr23]

ugh i wish i could get neons for a dollar. at my lfs cardinals and neons are the same price which makes no sense.

[@ariels6055]

Whoa! Vintage easy planter!

[@alexkaswan8435]

I cant believe you sell your neon tetras for one dollar and the cardinal tetras for 3 dollars at my local fish store they are at least 5 dollars each

[@ixxgxx]

How do they do with an apisto pair. Will the cardinals eat babies.

[@SuperAndyyan]

Do this two tetra . Can join in one tank Can this two fish tetra . Together ?

[@TaroTea]

In my local aquarium store they sell 1 tetra for 2$ also the gold and my answer is Cardinal tetra

[@melasintesi2126]

I have a 20 gallon tank with 12 neon tetras and 3 corys the neon tetras school pretty tightly in my tank and are really happy they school everywhere in the tank I recommend really small pellets for tetras too

[@disco86disco]

Would Zebra Danios and neon tetras be ok together?

[@PadmashreeCGRida]

I just got fish and want a care guide

[@taristanks664]

My LFS doesn't carry Cardinals, they say it's because they need " Such different water, parameters ", I'm just wondering if that's true? I have neons, serpaes, white skirts, black neons, bleeding hearts. I also have dwarf Gourami, Angelfish, Albino Cory's, and a Beta. Would the Cardinal tetras REALLY need much different water parameters than any of those? Thanks! T.

[@AquariumCoop]

No, they live in the same water parameters as most your fish

[@christaylor3516]

What is the best type of food for cardinal tetra?

[@alecgross12]

Wild caught is better! It’s one of the few sustainable resources available to people in the Amazon river basin!

[@Bright-It]

Really?

[@bobbyp5059]

Will they school with other tetras?

[@QuickStrikes84]

You SHOULD buy wild caught. The average lifespan of a cardinal tetra in a wild is like 1 year, due to massive die-off in drastically fluctuating water levels, only a few actually survive to replenish the population. While the capture of wild fish don't really effect the population that much (most will die anyway), you are essentially saving those wild individual specimens from an early demise, and supporting the locals too. A few bucks more for more vibrant, vigorous animals is totally worth the couple extra bucks in this case.

[@ivanv754]

QuickStrikes84 that’s in the case of these tetras( that’s ok), but please don’t apply the same concept to other fish, specially marine fish, please!

[@petestockus1082]

I have 55 gallon planted community tank. I would love to get school of cardinal tetras, but also have 3 angels, 1 redtail, shark 2 balas, and 3 gold barbs. These are the fish I wonder about their compatibility with those tetras? Opinions?

[@AquariumCoop]

+Pete Stockus Well in my opinion you've got some problem fish in there. Angels can usually be kept in check by feeding lots of frozen blood worms. The bala sharks should be in a group of 6 or more as they are a schooling fish and in my opinion shouldn't be kept in the hobby as most people can't handle 14-16 inch schooling fish. These tend to start eating smaller fish with their large appetites and often end their life on the floor from jumping out of the aquarium. Gold barbs should be upped in numbers to 8 or so. once those things were addressed the fish should be more tame and possibly adding some large cardinal tetras would work out for you.

[@ravistv7229]

Awesome tutorial...

[@mariusgeorgescu2991]

Rhode are note cardinal and are note tetra. They are neon fish. Do nota coment If You note know the name of your fish !!!

[@batkat0]

Huh? I'm not exactly sure what you meant to write, but Cory has the correct trade names for those fish. That's what they're called in the US and from what I can tell most English speaking keepers use those terms. Trade names can vary by region. Just because you're country calls a fish something does not make it universal or correct.

[@guppy7142]

Hola. Solo utilizas ese tipo de filtro?