Someone said cardinals can look 'washed' out on a light background. What about green neon tetras?
A group of ember tetra always look stunning
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No,don't buy fishes to see what look's best, and discard or return other's?
Google images of fishes that interest you, and research condition's that favor them, (ie) temp's,water chemistry,diet,etc.
Hobby is full of folk's that purchase fishes for aesthetic values without much interest as to whether the fishes they purchase may or may not be suitable for the environment you or I could most easily provide.
Would submit that soft water species will not fair as well or color up as well in more alkaline water's.(Generally)
Would suggest that the effort lend's itself to either choosing more suitable species, and,or purchasing a baker's dozen of one species with expectation's of losing a few maybe 50% or fewer.IMHO
If shrimp were to also be a consideration ,then The Threadfin Raibow's are a small species with tiny mouth's that would not pose near the risk to the shrimp's and enjoy moderate to hard alkaline water's.
The photo's do not do them justice but males and females together along with posturing by the males and the flicking of fin's as they interact is enjoyed by those who have kept them.
Small Furcata is another species that is under appreciated but a bit more aggressive than the Threadfin Rainbow's.
I have 12 dgh and pH from the tap is between 7.4 and 7.6 and although I have managed to keep the cardinal's and neon's along with rummy nose, I frequently lost several at a time while hoping they might acclimate to my water from the tap which is easiest for me to reproduce and is what I use for all tank's these day's.
Sure, I could and have in the past adjusted water to suit different species,but it is much easier for me and fishes me thinks ,to choose fishes that suit my water rather than adjusting water to suit the fishes.
Anything that is more tedious for me ,becomes less and less of an interest to me in my golden year's and I am not as likely to stick to a regime.
You will of course do as you wish,just offering some food for thought if not for you,,,maybe so for other's.