The Rummy Nose Tetra is a hugely popular little tropical freshwater fish that makes an entertaining and flashy addition to many aquariums.
Looking like three fish in one, their distinctive looks and vibrant coloring are sure to get noticed by observers of your tank as they form tight shoals and are easy to pick out.
Originating in the Rio Orinoco and the lower Amazon basin areas of Venezuela and Brazil, there are actually three tetra species that often get clubbed together by sellers and labeled ‘Rummies.’
These include:
- The True Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
- The Firehead (Hemigrammus bleheri)
- The ‘False’ Rummy Nose, which is confusingly also known as Black Fin tetras (Petitella georgiae)
These tetras are peaceful and sociable creatures who will only thrive in a group, but what a spectacular group they make! Easy to care for an established hobbyist, the rummy nose tetra does have some specific requirements to encourage a thriving community.
We’ll take a look at how to optimize your shoal of Rummies and get to the bottom of how to tell apart the three species of lookalikes before setting up your tank perfectly. Whichever ‘rummy’ you choose, they will all behave similarly and can be cared for with ease the same way.
Rummy Nose Tetra Behavior
These tetras are more than lively and can be quite zippy little fish that create incredible displays for you to enjoy.
Shoaling is their favorite pastime, so you need to ensure you have a good group size to keep them contented and happy. A benefit of a larger group of these tetras is that their shoaling behavior will give a higher impact the more you decide to take on. Six would be the minimum number to have.
More often than not, they will be swimming and shoaling around the middle levels of your tank and are not known to retreat and hide too often so you can enjoy them in all their glory.
If you do spot your Rummy Nose Tetras hiding a little too often, chances are they are feeling stressed, threatened, or are being harassed by bigger or more aggressive fish.
Some tetras come with a reputation for being fin nippers (we’re looking at you, Diamond Tetra!), but you won’t need to worry about that with Rummies.
Instead, prepare to be dazzled by their impressive tank displays. Keep your group numbers appropriately high enough so as not to stress them out, impacting their health and livelihood.
These little guys are sensitive to noise so take some care and consideration when deciding where to place your aquarium.
Rummy Nose Tetra Lifespan
For such a diminutive-sized fish, they live quite a long time! You can expect them to live for up to 8 years if their water parameters are consistent and quality is maintained.
We will discuss more on tank requirements a little later in this article.
Rummy Nose Tetra Appearance
Their body shape is torpedo-like, and they are the only fish species with four pairings of fins which is kind of a neat distinction.
Their heads are a vibrant red, followed by a silver body, and then a black and white striped tail which is what lends their appearance to look like three different fish put together into one.
Fins are short and clear, with the exception of their tail fin, as just mentioned.
Depending on the species you acquire, they can grow to about 2 – 2.5 inches in size when fully grown.
How can you tell the three closely-knit species apart? The answer is not that easy. In fact, it’s difficult for experienced hobbyists to tell males apart from females.
But we do have some identification markers you can try and spot to see if you know your Firehead from your False Rummy Nose:
- Firehead tetras are the only variety to have red coloration that extends past their gills. These also run slightly smaller and are usually a little under 2 inches at maturity.
- True Rummy Nose, Firehead, and False Rummies all have a dark blotch on the top of their caudal peduncle, but only the True Rummy and Firehead tetras have a dark blotch on the bottom also. If you can’t spot that, chances are you have a False Rummy Nose (Petitella).
When it comes to sexing your tetras, you will likely need the experience of your seller to better define your needed ratios for a harmonious group. But be aware they are notoriously tricky to sex, so don’t be surprised if your reproductive goals are not as easy as they seem, and be observant for males harassing females and aim to balance your ratio if needed.
Rummy Nose Tetra Habitat And Tank Requirements
For the healthiest fish, all aquarists should aspire to recreate their natural habitats as closely as possible.
These fish are normally found in quite acidic environments due to the tannins leached from decaying organic matter, giving the water a brownish appearance. These are known as blackwater rivers and tributaries.
Waters in these blackwaters of the Amazon have decent access to light and are usually slower moving.
Let’s look at some specifics that are needed.
Tank Conditions
Setting the landscape for your snazzy Rummy Nose Tetras isn’t too difficult. The harder part is maintaining the water condition necessary.
You’ll want a substrate that is soft and sandy, mimicking the Amazon where all three species hail from.
Driftwood is a fine addition, and leaves like beech or oak can be added to give it an authentic feel.
The wood and leaves breaking down will help give the water its brownish coloration, and you can let the water turn the color of weak tea as guidance of how long to let the materials break down. Replace as necessary every few weeks so avoid actual rot and water fouling which is unpleasant for all!
Peat is a natural component in their habitat, so aquarium-safe peat can be included in your filter to simulate their native blackwater.
They enjoy rocks and caves too.
Traditional aquatic plantlike is not a part of their natural habitat, but they can also thrive in a traditional tank if need be as long as maintenance is well controlled. Some mid-level growing plants are useful for them to avoid brighter light conditions or to avoid other fish when stressed.
You will quickly be able to see if your Rummies are not thriving in your setup; they start to lose their vibrancy. Fading is a prime indication that they are not in the best or most favorable of conditions and is usually a result of a too alkaline water condition.
A heater is recommended to keep the water suitably warm and even.
In terms of filtration, a standard external one will keep the water moving to their liking, but you do not need extra air or water pumps.
Water changes will need to be ideally twice weekly and at least 25% each change.
Water conditions should be noted, tested regularly, and maintained as follows:
- pH of 5.5 – 7.0
- Water hardness between 2 – 15 dGH
- Temperature between 76 – 80ºF ( 24 – 27ºC)
- Lighting can be kept dim to median
Tank Size
The minimum tank size needed is 20 gallons for their shoaling behavior and approximately 2 gallons per fish. So knowing you need a minimum group of 6-10 or more, that means up to ten for a 20-gallon tank but no less than six. Add in size for larger groups of tetras as needed.
So size matters if you plan on having this species for optimum health and growth.
They need a lot of active swimming space to thrive, and tank shape should ideally be kept long at least 36 inches (90 cm) minimum for happy, lively shoaling.
Keeping them interested and engaged is important for their health.
Choosing Tank Mates for Rummy Nose Tetras
It’s very important to consider what is best for the fish species you choose to care for as an aquarist when considering tank mates.
Educating yourself and doing the research necessary to have a harmonious environment is a key aspect of being their caretaker.
Some excellent fish tank mate pairings for Rummy Nose Tetras are:
- Danios
- Other non-nippy Tetras
- Mollies
- Corydoras Catfish
- Cherry Barbs
- Dwarf Gourami
- Yoyo Loaches
- Hatchetfish
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Smaller shrimp
- Snails
You will want to avoid most Cichlids, any Goldfish, and other species large enough to fit Tetras into their mouths. Aggressive species should also be on the ‘No’ list in your setup.
Common Health Issues Of Rummy Nose Tetras
Rummy Nose Tetras are a fairly hardy bunch. Although sensitive to their water conditions, careful and scheduled maintenance will reduce that issue from ever becoming a problem.
They do not have any specific diseases that are unique to the species. However, being tropical fish, they are prone to a few common afflictions of tank residents.
Ich is a common parasitic infection that can happen to any freshwater aquarium kept fish. White spots are what become noticeable and can lead to issues with respiration, so you must keep an eye out for those.
While Ich is highly treatable, it’s best to catch early as it can otherwise lead to more serious conditions.
The other common disease is fin rot which, while not a serious ailment, is bacterial and can be easily treated using veterinarian prescribed antibiotics.
The best way to avoid either of these afflictions is regular and thorough water changes. Sticking to a strict schedule and following a routine is the easiest way to have healthy fish as a hobbyist.
How To Breed Rummy Nose Tetras
Rummy Nose Tetras are egg layers, and if you fancy a breeding project, they might just be the perfect one for you.
A mixed 1:1 ratio set aside in a spawning tank will provide your best bet for successful reproductive efforts. You’ll want to line it with spawning mops or clumps of plants like java moss for egg deposition.
Females will look more rounded than their flatter male counterparts as their abdomen fills out and adapts to carrying eggs.
Once you have observed spawning taking place, remove the adults from the tank to prevent them from consuming their eggs.
Eggs should hatch quickly after only 24-36 hours, and the fry will be spotted free swimming shortly afterward.
The fry will need to be fed and avoid all bright light as they are light-sensitive in their early life. Because they tend to be slow-growing, they will need small food sources and kept separate until they mature around the 6-month mark before joining the main tank.
Conclusion
To sum up Rummy Nose Tetras, in whatever species you care to define them of a possible three on the market, are a fine addition to a tank and are highly rewarding to observe and watch shoaling together.
Their slightly unusual water conditions can make for an interesting and unique setup different from the familiar fare of the typical residential aquarium. Watching their shimmery shoal dance and flash, darting in unison, is a real thing of beauty and partly why they are so popular.
As a peaceful and relatively easy to care for Tetra, they will mark a lovely milestone in your fish-keeping hobby.
They are a really attractive option to add some wow factor to visitors in your home, but for your sole enjoyment also. Their vibrancy and unique tri-pattern of coloration make them truly stand out for a spectacular display that will not go unnoticed.
Take the plunge and start your shoaling adventure!
