Rummy Nose Tetra

The Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) is a popular freshwater fish species in the aquarium hobby, known for its striking red face and streamlined silver body. Here's a detailed care guide to help keep them healthy and thriving in your aquarium:

Tank Size

• Recommended Size: A minimum of 75 liters for a small school. Since they are schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of 6 or more, and larger tanks provide more space for swimming.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH: 6.0–8.0 
• Hardness: 2–8 dGH (soft water)
• Ammonia/Nitrites: Keep these at 0 ppm, as rummy nose tetras are sensitive to poor water quality.
• Nitrates: Under 20 ppm.

Rummy nose tetras are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in water conditions, so it's important to maintain stable parameters through regular water changes and a good filtration system.

Tank Setup

• Substrate: Dark substrates such as fine gravel or sand enhance their colours.
• Plants: They appreciate densely planted tanks with live plants like Java moss, Amazon sword, and Anubias. These plants provide hiding spaces, which help reduce their stress.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is preferred. Bright light can stress them out unless the tank is well-planted.
• Decorations: Driftwood and rocks can be added for aesthetic appeal, and tannins from driftwood can help replicate their natural environment.

Diet

Rummy nose tetras are omnivores and have small mouths. Offer a varied diet to ensure their health:

• Staple: High-quality flakes or micro-pellets.
• Treats: Frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms.
• Vegetable Matter: Occasionally provide algae wafers or blanched vegetables (like spinach or zucchini).

Behavior and Compatibility

• Schooling Behavior: Rummy nose tetras thrive in groups, so keeping at least 6 is recommended. In smaller groups, they can become stressed and lose their vibrant colouration.
• Tank Mates: They are peaceful and do well with other small, non-aggressive fish like neon tetras, cardinal tetras, corydoras catfish, dwarf gouramis, and otos.
• Avoid: Larger or more aggressive fish that might see them as prey, such as cichlids.

Breeding

Breeding rummy nose tetras in the home aquarium can be a bit challenging:

• Conditioning: Feed them protein-rich live foods to encourage spawning.
• Spawning Setup: A separate breeding tank with soft, acidic water and plenty of plants is ideal. Lower lighting is helpful.
• Egg Laying: The female will scatter eggs among the plants, and the parents should be removed afterwards to avoid eating the eggs.
• Fry Care: The eggs hatch in 24–36 hours, and fry can be fed infusoria or finely crushed fish food.

Common Health Issues

• Ich: Like many tropical fish, they are prone to ich if stressed. Regular water changes, stable water conditions, and quarantine for new tankmates help prevent diseases.
• Fin Rot: This can be caused by poor water quality or aggressive tankmates.

Rummy nose tetras are a fantastic choice for aquariums due to their peaceful nature and schooling behaviour. A well-maintained, planted tank with stable water conditions will allow them to display their best colors and live a long, healthy life.