The name of this fish comes from its characteristic shape. They have a reddish tinge to the face; however, they can lose colour when stressed. You will find it interesting to see a school of Rummy-Nose Tetras swimming around the aquarium, striking against the green background of aquatic plants.

This fish originated in the lower Amazon and Orinoco river basins in Brazil. With its gentle personality and unique appearance, this fish has won the hearts of many aquarium enthusiasts. They always have their community of Rummy-Nose Tetras.

Read more about how to care for this fish, and you'll be ready to get a group of 10 red-nosed tetras to your aquarium. Check it out !!

What are Rummy Nose Tetras?

Rummy Nose Tetras have a shiny silver body, bright red head, and white and black markings on the caudal fin—two physical features that set this fish apart from other fish, whether in the wild or a tank.

When fully mature, the Rummy Nose Tetra will reach 2 to 2.5 inches long, with a red-orange snout and a white and black striped tail. The three main species commonly sold as red-nosed aquarium fish include:

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Hemigrammus rhodostomus (Rummy Nose tetra): red nose and striped tail.

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Hemigrammus bleheri (brilliant Red-nosed tetra): their head is much red and sometimes diamond-shaped.

Petitella Georgia (nose tetra): a black stripe in the middle of the tail that extends to the second half of the body and looks like a horizontal line.

This fish is gentle and peaceful and will never disturb other fish in the community tank. Rummy Nose Tetras have a very tight swarm behavior, making it easy to deceive predators.

The distinguishing feature of healthy fish is that they have a red nose, and a slightly rounded belly, swim flexibly in the tank and have no white spots on the body. If you see that their noses are pale, they may have just arrived a few days ago or been caught in nets.

When you bring them home, let them for a few days to relax, and they will regain their original red nose colour. When kept in a seasoned aquarium with good rearing, they can live up to 5 years or more.

How to set up an aquarium for Tetras Rummy-Nose?

The Rummy Nose Tetra requires warm, soft and slightly acidic water (pH 5.5–7.5) as these are the conditions in their natural habitat. Despite their small size, a 20-gallon tank or larger will suit them as they are school fish that will always want to explore throughout your aquarium.

They prefer warm waters around 74°F – 84°F (23°C – 29°C). So you need to keep the water warm; you need a heater because it keeps the water temperature constant. Don't forget to test the water occasionally to ensure the readings are within a safe range for them.

If you want to create a natural environment, mulch the ground with catalpa leaves, driftwood and red plants, as their silver colour will look great in an aquarium with lots of greenery; a darker substrate also helps for more prominent tetras.

This fish is sensitive to high concentrations of ammonia; it is also greatly affected by sudden changes in water conditions. Therefore, you should change part of the water regularly with the flow of ¼ of the tank's water and with a frequency of once a week to avoid the sudden shock of the fish.

How many Rummy-Nose Tetras should be kept together?

It would be best to have a Tetras Rummy-Nose community of at least 8–12 members.

What fish can live with Rummy-Nose Tetras?

Tetras Rummy-Nose is friendly with all peaceful community fish of their size. Compatible fish species to keep as tankmates with the Rummy Nose Tetra include catfish Corydoras, Cherry Barb, Blue Neon Tetra, mystery snail, and Rasboras. 

You will find them always actively swimming, making them great coloured fish. Suitable aquatic plants for the Tetras Rummy-Nose community include Anubias Nana, Amazon Sword, and Water Wisteria.

Rummy Nose Tetras are usually calm but can jump if startled or chased by other fish in the tank. This is why you must keep them with other gentle fish.