I have always thought that most of the cardinal tetras were imported wild from S.America as opposed to Neon tetras. This probably explains why a Cardinal costs at least 2.5 to 3 times a Neon. It is however interesting to note that both species are easily caught in their wild habitats throughout the year. Judging from this aspect, I would think that if the LFS will to sell a wild Neon, its price will be the same as a wild Cardinal. From another viewpoint, the higher price of a Cardinal could also be a matter of supply and demand, i.e. more people WTB Cardinal as it is more beautiful, its price will be higher; if price is higher, more people go for substitute (i.e. Neons); this will go on till a "price equilibrium" is struck. Hence, we see the common price of a Cardinal viz-a-viz a Neon as it is today in all the LFSes.
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