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A pretty and very peaceful tetra that spends its time actively schooling with others of the same species. Fits into almost any community tank, so long as the water conditions are high quality and some hiding places (at least either plastic or live plants).

Quick stats:

Listed tank sizes are the minimum
Size:	2 inches (5 cm)
Tank:	30 inches
Strata:	Middle
PH:	6.0 to 7.5
Hardness:	Soft to neutral
Temperature:	74ºF to 82ºF (23-29°C)

Classification:

Order:	Cypriniformes
Suborder:	Characoidei
Family:	Characidae
Genera:	Hemigrammus

Rummy-nose tetra

Additional species photographs

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Distribution

Lower Amazon region, around Aripiranga and Paraguay.

Torpedo shaped, elongate body.

This is a distinctive looking little tetra with black and white "checkerboard" markings on its tail and a bright red nose, for which it is named. The red nose is actually the best indication of the fish's health and well-being--when it is feeling ill at ease or not in tiptop shape (for example, when first introduced to the tank), this red will fade to a dull pink, barely distinguishable from its unremarkable gray body color.

The rummy-nose tetra is an excellent fish for the community tank once it is adjusted to its surroundings, but this initial adaptive phase can be a bit longer than for some fish. In the meantime, it tends to be sensitive to water quality, so test this frequently. It does not take well to addition of salt and many chemical additives, and pH fluctuations can kill it. It must be kept with at least 3 members of its own species, or else it will sulk in the corner and show signs of stress. Healthy species will adapt eventually to a well-planted tank and school actively in and out of every corner of the aquarium, their noses glowing brightly.

A planted South American Riverbank setup.

This is a delicate fish and is very hard to breed. Provide a large tank with lots of plants and very soft water. Several pairs should be placed together. After a long period of acclimation and conditioning they may spawn. A small number of eggs are produced which will hatch in about thirty hours.

Rummynose Tetra Click photo to buy Hemigrammus bleheri

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From: Vij Date:07/11/2008 Initially I bought 4 for my 20 gallon tank but unfortunately 2 of them died the same night I thought that the remaining 2 would also die but they recovered remarkably now they swim around the whole tank with their bright red noses held high, they eat almost anything I give them. Partial water changes is the key to keep them healthy, I change 30% of the water weekly. I am planning to buy 2 more since they are to be kept in a school of at least 3. From: Nick Date:02/24/2008 These are truly amazing fish! Perfect for the community tank, they should be kept in schools of at least 6 to show off their brightly colored noses. I have 14 in a 55 gallon. They are an excellent monitor of water quality. As soon as the water gets below par, their noses turn a much duller color, and I know something's up. I'd recommend this fish to anybody, they are beautiful when adapted. From: Mike in AZ Date:05/02/2006 So far this is the best schooling fish I have kept. I had 9 in a 75gallon that looked great, but now have 25 in there and it is an awesome sight. I these fish are indeed very delicate, and having losses when buying new ones is something I expect now. They can be kept in hard water with a high pH, but the secret is a very slow acclimation. I've found that if I slowly drip water from the tank into a bucket with the fish for over 4 hours I have about a 95% survival rate. My tap pH is about 7.8 and hardness around 300-340. On a batch I got and only acclimated for 2 hours, I lost 8 out of 10, but with the next batch (from the same batch the LFS had in the same tank) I didn't lose any after a 4.5 hour acclimation. I've also discovered that if I do weekly water change of 50-60% on the 75 they survive and have great color, but if I try to go 9-10 days between WCs I usually start losing a few. From: Mark Date:06/20/2003 These are great fishes once they are used to the fish tank. The hardest part in keeping these fishes are the first two weeks. If you pass the 2nd week, your rummy noses should be fine. However, NEVER buy just one rummy nose and dump it in your tank, at least buy 3 or more of it's kind, it's survival rate will be higher. And also never buy this fish if your tank is still under cycling, or under the new tank syndrome. From: MJH Date:01/05/2003 Great little fish. I had two in a 12 gallon tank. Their noses wern't red, but when I added them in a 75 gallon tank and added six more to their numbers their noses are now blood red.

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