TFA101

Which is better? What will last longer? Who wins this debate for my new tank to come?

susitna-flower

My personal preference are cardinals.

TFA101

any reasons why perferred over neons?

Muffymouse

I'm for cardinals also =) They are just a bit bigger and with the longer red stripe, just a bit flashier =)) And I just like them better.

TFA101

well so much for that! LOL I guess I'm getting Cardinal Tetras. how many for a healthy school. im planning (2 years form now) on getting 8

Cody

carnils . they are less sensitive and have more red in them

Lucy

Cardinals are prettier, that's what I planned on getting, but I've only seen them once around here and that was before my tank was cycled.
I ended up getting neons and I love them.

Tom

I prefer cardinals because they are more colorful, they show more personality, and with how neons are bred(mass breeding), they don't seem to be doing too well in the aquariums. Plus, you can brag that you have wild caught fish since 90% of cardinals are wild caught.
Tom

Muffymouse

8 would be a great looking school =)

nickf5

I've got 8 neons and they look great. They look great as the lazily glide round. Also, I've never lost one.

mrsmuffin

I have 6 of each! I like the look of the cardinals better though.

TFA101

So now for the final question. i dont want to lead myself to overstocking a 50 gallon, so help out on this The stock, Good or no good? :

*NOTE: I do not own all of the following fish!


5 Black Tetras
7 Harlequins
3 Sunburst Platy (breeding trio)
2 Peppered Cories
2 Bronze Cories
2 Panda Cories
7 Cardinal Tetras >> Woops! Wrong amount!

COBettaCouple

I'd recommend 1 type of cory since you could have a school of them then and they're happier kept with at least 3 of each type.

You can stock up to 55" (adult size) of fish in there.

TFA101

So if I change up the cories to one species, and use whatever is left of inches of adult fish, its good?

COBettaCouple

Yea, I think that adds up to under 55" if you get corys that run smaller. You'll want to check the adult size of the type of cory that you'd want to put in the tank.

TFA101

Alright, I've almost completely re0arranged the tank stock so that it has things as delicate as Cardinals, and as hardy as Wag-tail platy. I have 41.5 inches in total for a fifty gallon and the stock is as follows:

PRE-OWNED FISH
_______________________
Black Tetras >> 5 >> ~11"
Peppered Cories>> 2 >> ~4" (Male and female, different sizes)
Bronze Cories >> 2 >> ~6"
Sunburst Platy (male) >> 1 >> 1.5"

"ADD-ON" FISH
_______________________
Cardinal Tetras >> 10 >> ~17.5"
Wagtail Platy (Male) >> 1 >> 1.5"

Total: 41.5", right? (my calculator sometimes gets it wrong)

so i have 9.5 inches left, a little more according to COBettaCouple.
I want some schoolers, nothing too rowdy, and I love corydoras. I cant decide! Can I get some advice?

Coryd55

I would either get rid of one species of cory and add to the school of the leftover species or add 1 peppered and one bronze. They need schools of at least 3.

I would personally leave out the platys. I think that a sunburst and a wagtail would look out of place.

The black tetras would look fine with the cardinals.

If you dont mind selling/trading fish then this is how I would stock it:

7 Black Tetras - 15.4 inches
5 Bronze Corydoras - 15 inches
10 Cardinal Tetras - 17.5 inches

All of those fish will follow the inch per gallon rule well so you will have 47.9 inches in your 50 gallon. It is always good to go a few inches under. Reason being is decor takes up gallons and it keeps your water readings lower since you have less ammonia which gives you an overall healthier fish tank.

Thats how I would stock it and really with a 50 gallon tank you should keep it a few inches below 50" not 55" as Dave said. 55" would actually be close to overstocking your tank.

Hope that helps.

TFA101

(-_-)" back to the drawing board...

Luckily I have two years and 300 something days until I actually get it. I like to plan ahead. And Since I can't decide, I think that's best