Rummynose Tetra

Also known as: Hemigrammus bleheri

The Rummynose Tetra is a striking freshwater fish known for its vivid red head and silvery body with a distinctive black-and-white striped tail fin. The Rummynose Tetra originates from Amazon River basin in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, inhabiting slow-moving blackwater tributaries with dense vegetation and leaf litter., reaches Adult size: 4.5 cm in captivity, typically lives 5-8 years, and is kept at 24-28°C (75-82°F). Individual fish vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.

Species at a glance

Origin: Amazon River basin in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, inhabiting slow-moving blackwater tributaries with dense vegetation and leaf litter.
Adult size: Adult size: 4.5 cm (1.8 inches)
Life span: 5-8 years
Temperament: Peaceful and schooling; highly social, requires groups of 6+ to exhibit natural behavior and reduce stress.
Tank size: Minimum 60 liters (16 gallons) for a group of 6-8; 80+ liters (21+ gallons) recommended for larger schools or community tanks.
Water temp: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
pH range: 5.5-7.0
Diet: Omnivorous; accepts high-quality flakes, micro pellets, and frozen/live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms; feed 2-3 times daily in small amounts.
Other names: Hemigrammus bleheri

About the Rummynose Tetra

The Rummynose Tetra is a striking freshwater fish known for its vivid red head and silvery body with a distinctive black-and-white striped tail fin. Native to the acidic, tannin-stained waters of the Amazon, it thrives in soft, dimly lit aquariums with plenty of hiding spots. This species is highly sensitive to water quality and serves as an excellent bioindicator—its nose color fades rapidly under poor conditions. In optimal settings, it displays tight, synchronized schooling behavior, making it a favorite among aquarists seeking dynamic, naturalistic displays.

Lifespan and health

With pristine water conditions and proper nutrition, Rummynose Tetras commonly live 5-8 years, though exceptional specimens may reach 10 years in well-maintained biotope tanks. Lifespan is strongly correlated with water quality—chronic exposure to elevated nitrates or fluctuating pH significantly shortens lifespan and dulls the iconic red nose. Common health issues include ich (white spot disease) from stress or temperature drops, fin rot due to poor water quality, and internal parasites from contaminated live food; quarantine new fish for 2-4 weeks and treat outbreaks promptly with appropriate medications. Preventive care includes maintaining pH below 6.5, keeping temperatures stable within 24-28°C, and providing a diet rich in vitamins to support immune function and color retention.

Overview

Care and tank setup

Tank setup should include a dark substrate, driftwood, and dense planting (e.g., Java moss, Amazon sword) to mimic blackwater conditions; use peat filtration or Indian almond leaves to lower pH and soften water. Maintain gentle flow with a sponge filter to avoid stressing the fish. Water parameters must be stable: perform 25% weekly water changes, monitor ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm, and keep nitrate below 20 ppm. Feed a varied diet of crushed flakes, micro pellets, and 2-3 weekly offerings of frozen brine shrimp or daphnia; avoid overfeeding to prevent water quality degradation. Ideal tankmates include other peaceful tetras (e.g., Ember, Neon), Corydoras catfish, small rasboras, and dwarf cichlids like Apistogramma; avoid fin-nippers or large, aggressive species.

Adding a Rummynose Tetra? Research the species’ adult size and temperament carefully, quarantine new fish before introducing them to your tank, and buy from reputable aquarium stores or breeders.

Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Rummynose Tetra, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.