Rummy Nose Tetra
Last import date: 4/30/26
Rummy Nose Tetras (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) are one of the most beloved schooling fish in the hobby, instantly recognizable by their bright red faces and the bold black-and-white striped pattern on the tail. They form some of the tightest, most synchronized schools of any aquarium fish, making them an unmatched choice for planted display tanks. The intensity of the red nose is also a useful health indicator, as it fades when water quality slips.
Care Requirements: Soft, slightly acidic water brings out the best color and behavior. They thrive in well-planted tanks with subdued lighting, driftwood, and ideally some leaf litter or tannins to mimic their Amazon basin origins. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite during cycling, so add them to a mature tank. Feed a varied diet of high-quality flake, micro pellets, frozen bloodworms, and daphnia.
Tankmates & Behavior: Peaceful and strictly schooling. Keep a minimum of 8, with 12 or more producing the dramatic synchronized swimming this species is famous for. Excellent in community planted tanks with other peaceful South American species like Cardinals, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and small plecos.
Parameters: Temperature: 75-82°F | pH: 5.5-7.0 | GH: 2-8 | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
At least 8, but 12 or more is strongly recommended. Rummy Nose Tetras school more tightly than almost any other tetra, and that behavior only emerges in larger groups. Smaller numbers stress easily and lose color.
