Lemon tetras are a good choice, very hardy. Another good one are black neons, not sure if that’s what you mean when you say black tetras? Cardinals should be pretty hardy however I believe they do prefer water that is abit softer.Hello,
Does anyone have any suggestion for a colorful
alternative to cardinal tetras that is hardier?
Are lemon or black tetra any better?
Regards
Sorry to hear that. I saw your other thread abut the white spot.lost them all to itch
That’s a shame, try and find a supplier that quarantines if yours doesn’t already. Cardinals can come in a bit fragile but should be pretty hardy fish once settled. They’re a fish that prefers softer water however I’m sure there are plenty of members on here that keep them in harder water no problem.lost them all to itch
I wish!Green Neon Tetras, they are cheap colourful and dont get as big as the cardinal so make your scape look bigger
lost them all to itch
Have to agree used to live in the same area and Harlequins liked the water.From my experience of South Downs's hard water, for hardiness and easy of keeping I can recommend Lemon tetras, Harlequin rasboras (they might look like nothing in the shop but they have a beautiful shimmery copper when kept well) and Neon Dwarf rainbowfish.
You might be getting green neons mixed up with normal neon tetras. As far as I know all green neons are wild caught with a lot of cardinals also being wild caught. I think in Europe we also get a few tank bred cardinals from the Czech Republic and the Far East.At least in the US almost all of Cardinals are wild-caught while almost all of the Neons are tank-bred. I have only 5 Greens and at some point, I will purchase more; I have them in a 60cm tank with Embers and shrimp. Love them, they appear to be hardy.
Yeah green neons seemed to go ok for me in moderately hard water.You might be getting green neons mixed up with normal neon tetras. As far as I know all green neons are wild caught with a lot of cardinals also being wild caught. I think in Europe we also get a few tank bred cardinals from the Czech Republic and the Far East.
A lot of people mention green neons being hardier which is strange as they seem to be more specialised than cardinals. In the wild they’re found in really warm acidic water where most other fish couldn’t survive, maybe this is more out necessity than choice which may be why they are more hardier?
Cheers
Conor
Yes, they can be healthy and long-lived with (at least) 17°DH tapwater. Another advantage of quarantined fish is that the dealer will have acclimatised them to tapwater, and if the shop is local it will be the same as your tapwater.
If you post what region you live in some-one might be able to recommend a shop in your neck of the woods.
hi i live in manchester