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Cardinals are hardier in my experience, especially if your water's already soft. Neons can be sketchy with pH swings. Both are peaceful, but Cardinals school tighter, which looks awesome in a planted setup. What's your tank temp? They prefer 76–80F.


Thanks! Tank's at 78F. Do Cardinals need more ...

I'm setting up a 20-gallon planted tank and can't decide between Neon and Cardinal tetras. Which one's easier to keep, and do they have different temperaments? My water's soft, pH around 6.5, and I've got a sponge filter running.