What is the difference between Neon Tetra and Cardinal Tetra?

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The cardinal tetra is a freshwater fish of the family Characidae of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. The cardinal tetra lives in slow-moving waterways that are heavily shaded by rainforests and other thick vegetation.

The easiest to spot difference between the two fish is the red stripe on the fishes body. The Cardinal Tetras red stripe on the lower half of the body will extend the full length of the fish, from eye to tail. Neon Tetra on the other hand have a red stripe on the lower half of the body extending from mid-body to the tail, often with a noticeable white patch at he front lower-half of the body. Cardinal's are often much larger and longer too.

The Neon Tetra (above) is probably the world's most popular small tropical fish that really brightens up a freshwater tropical aquarium. Neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) inhabit locations in South America - the Rio Taquari, Brazilarea and Paraguay River basins.

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Photo credit(s): Canva Pro Licence