Rummy-nose tetra

Hemigrammus rhodostomus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–81°F (24–27°C)
pH: 5.5–7.0
Adult size: 2 in (5 cm)
Minimum tank: 20 gal (75 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Common
Origin: Brazil, Venezuela
Family: Characidae

Overview

These are true schooling fish and should be kept in groups of six or more, though larger groups look and behave far better. They are active swimmers that hold the middle of the tank, so give them at least 75 liters with swimming space. They stay peaceful with other calm species. Feed quality flake, micro-pellets, and occasional live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms. Keep them in soft, acidic to neutral water at about 24 to 27 C.

In the wild

Rummy-nose tetras come from the Amazon and Orinoco basins in Brazil and Venezuela. They live in soft, slightly acidic water over fine sand and leaf litter, shaded by rainforest and often stained with tannins. A tank with plenty of plants, some open swimming room, and dimmer light suits them. They are sensitive to water quality, so a mature, well-filtered setup is important before you add them.

Good to know

This is a characin in the family Characidae, reaching about 5 cm as an adult. The species is known for a bright red nose and a bold black-and-white striped tail. They are egg scatterers with no parental care, and eggs hatch in roughly a day to a day and a half. The IUCN lists them as Least Concern. Breeding them is difficult and needs very soft, acidic water.

Did you know

Rummy-nose tetras are one of the best schooling fish in the hobby for tightness. A healthy group moves and turns almost as a single unit, and the red nose works as a built-in health gauge, fading fast when water quality slips or the fish is stressed.