TETRA RUMMYNOSE 3-3.5cm

Rummy-nose tetras (Hemigrammus bleheri) are peaceful Amazon blackwater schooling fish known for their bright red noses and black-and-white striped tails. Care is similar across the lookalikes. Minimum group size: 8–12 (6 is the bare minimum; larger groups show better schooling and less stress). They come from soft, acidic blackwater streams and act as excellent “canaries” — a fading red nose is often the first sign that something is off (water quality, stability, or stress). They can handle the warmer end of the range, so they work well with discus or other warmer-water species in suitable setups.

TANK SET UP: ≈75 litres is the practical minimum for a small school; longer tanks are strongly preferred because they swim actively back and forth. Larger schools look and behave best in 100–120+ litres.

PROVIDE:

• Open mid-water swimming space

• Plants (Anubias, Java fern/moss, Cryptocoryne, floating plants for shade)

• Driftwood and leaf litter (Indian almond/catappa leaves) for tannins and a blackwater feel

• Mature, fully cycled tank only — they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite

TANK MATE:

• Other small tetras (cardinals, embers, neons, glowlights)

• Corydoras (especially Sterbai or similar)

• Otocinclus

• Small rasboras (harlequin, etc.)

• Peaceful dwarf gouramis or dwarf cichlids (German blue rams, Apistogramma) in appropriately sized tanks

• Adult shrimp and snails (very small shrimplets may be at risk)

FILTRATION: Use a sponge filter or a low- to medium-output canister filter, turning over 3- 5 times the tank volume per hour.

MAINTENANCE: Ammonia/Nitrite 0 ppm; Nitrate <20 ppm (ideally lower). Weekly 25–30% water changes with temperature-matched water.

NOTE: They tolerate slightly higher pH/hardness if conditions stay consistent, but soft acidic water brings out the best colour and health.

LIGHTING: Dimmer lighting or floating cover

FEEDING: Feed 2–3 small meals per day.

• Staple high-quality micro pellets or crushed flakes (colour-enhancing formulas with krill/spirulina help the red)

• Supplement with regular frozen or live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops

• Occasional bloodworms (chopped)