TankBud

False rummynose tetra

Petitella georgiae

Also known as False rummynose, Hemigrammus georgiae, Peruvian Rummynose Tetra

FreshwaterFish

False rummynose tetra (Petitella georgiae)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Characidae
Origin
Upper Amazon basin (Rio Purus, Rio Negro, Rio Madeira), Peru and Brazil

Overview

The false rummynose tetra is one of the tighter shoaling tetras, a peaceful and active fish for the middle of a blackwater tank. It is a little more demanding than the easiest community fish.

Did you know

The false rummynose tetra was sold under the wrong name for a long time, mixed in with the true rummynose and Bleher's rummynose. Many tanks of so-called rummynose tetras actually held this species.

Caring for the false rummynose tetra

Keep false rummynose tetras in a group of at least ten, and more is better, in 29 gal (110 L) or larger. A small group turns nervous. They need swimming length despite their small bodies. Give them a planted blackwater-style tank with dark substrate, bogwood, leaf litter and floating plants to soften the light.

The water should run soft and acidic to neutral, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. They show their best red over a dark bottom in lower light. Their red nose and barred tail also work as a health gauge. If the color fades or goes pale, it usually means stress, poor water or a group that is too small.

They have tiny mouths, so feed small foods such as crushed flake, micro pellets and small frozen items like daphnia or baby brine shrimp. False rummynose tetras are peaceful but poor competitors, so skip boisterous or larger tank mates. Keep the lid tight, since they can jump.

They are egg scatterers with no parental care, and breeding them is hard. Never release an aquarium fish into local waters, and check your local rules before rehoming one.

Good to know

The false rummynose tetra is a characin in the family Characidae. FishBase lists its standard length, measured without the tail, at about 3.9 cm. The genus saw a recent reshuffle, and Petitella now takes in the former Hemigrammus rummynose species. The true rummynose, Hemigrammus rhodostomus, and the firehead or Bleher's rummynose are still separate fish.

In the wild

False rummynose tetras come from the upper Amazon basin in Peru and Brazil. They live in soft, acidic blackwater rivers such as the Rio Purus, Rio Negro and Rio Madeira. These are dim, tannin-stained waters with leaf litter and submerged wood.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The false rummynose tetra is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a false rummynose tetra need?

A false rummynose tetra needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a false rummynose tetra need?

A false rummynose tetra is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a false rummynose tetra eat?

A false rummynose tetra has a tiny mouth, so it needs small foods. Crushed flake, micro pellets and small frozen items such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp all suit it.

How big does a false rummynose tetra get?

An adult false rummynose tetra reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Does a false rummynose tetra need a group?

Yes. A false rummynose tetra is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a false rummynose tetra breed?

A false rummynose tetra scatters its eggs and gives them no parental care. Breeding it is hard.

Related species