This fact sheet is about the "Rummy Nose Tetra", Hemigrammus rhodostomus, which comes from the Lower Amazon basin and Orinoco Rivers not about False Rummy Nose Tetras, Hemigrammus bleheri from the Rio Negro and Rio Meta river basins or Petitella georgiae from the Upper Amazon
basin in Peru, Rio Purus, Rio Negro and Rio Madeira river basins. My
experience in keeping this beautiful fish is mainly with the Rummy Nose
Tetra, Hemigrammus rhodostomus, not with the other two species, but much of the information about Rummy Nose Tetra, Hemigrammus rhodostomus, also applies to the others.
The Rummy Nose Tetra grows to about two inches (five cm) long. The life span is about six years.
Water Conditions
My
own experience with the Rummy Nose Tetra is not the same as much of the
published information, and this fact sheet is based on my own
observation. Note that I have never bred this fish so I will have to
use published information for the breeding section.
The Rummy
Nose Tetra is a hardy fish suitable for a mixed tank of small fish. I
suggest a temperature of 24̊ C (75̊ F) and a neutral pH for a mixed
tank. This is quite different from the natural water conditions for
this fish, but the adult Rummy Nose Tetras seem to be able to adapt to
them. In the rivers the Rummy Nose Tetra comes from, the water
temperature is higher than this and more acid, as well as very soft. If
the fish are ever going to be used for breeding, they should be kept in
water similar to their natural conditionsall their life. High levels of Calcium ions may induce permanent sterility in the Rummy Nose Tetra.
In my experience the Rummy Nose Tetra is a hardy fish.
Companions
The
Rummy Nose Tetra is a schooling fish and at least four should be kept
together. Suitable companions for the Rummy Nose Tetra include all the
other tetras, all the Danios, most of the Corydoras catfish, most of
the barbs, and other small to medium size peaceful fish. Unsuitable
fish for sharing a tank with the Rummy Nose Tetra include most of the Cichlids and other fish large, aggressive, predatory, or requiring
quite different conditions.
Food
By
nature the Rummy Nose Tetra is mainly a mid water feeder. They will
also eat off the bottom and will learn to eat from the top of the
water. Rummy Nose Tetras will eat normal fish foods. In the wild they
are omnivores with a preference for live food. The best food for them
is probably live blood worms (Various species of the Chironomus
genus, the aquatic larvae of a non biting midge.) Mosquito larvae
(wrigglers) are also a good food, but some of the other fish may be
better at catching them than the Rummy Nose Tetra.
Frozen Bloodworms are a good food and more generally available than live food.
Breeding
The
Rummy Nose Tetra is considered a difficult fish to breed. A high level
of Calcium ions may induce sterility in this fish, so they need to be
kept in water similar to their natural conditions all their life. This
means many of the Rummy Nose Tetras you can buy are unsuitable for breeding.
Breeding conditions are: extremely soft water which is very low in Calcium with
a pH of about 6.5, and for the actual spawning a temperature of about
33̊ C (91̊ F), and low lighting. Filtering over peat moss or using a
"black water conditioner" will help.
The Rummy Nose Tetra lays
eggs attached to fine leaved plants; Java Moss is one suitable plant.
The fish may only lay a few eggs at a time, and often lays at night.
The Rummy Nose Tetra is not an avid egg eater, but most people remove
the parents after spawning.
The eggs take about three days to
hatch. Total darkness is not necessary, but the light level should be
low. The eggs are very vulnerable to fungus and an aquarium antifungal
medication should be used. A high level of tannic acid (from peat) will
help.
Raising the Fry
Baby Rummy Nose Tetras are
one of the slowest growing of all common aquarium fish. They may need
to eat infusoria for three weeks before growing big enough to take
anything larger. This can be supplemented with fry food of the finest
types. The fry are very susceptible to diseases, and care needs to be
taken with the cleanliness of the nursery tank.
It may take as long as six months for the babies to grow large enough to eat food as big as adult Daphnia.
Breeding this fish is for people who relish a challenge.
Rummynose Tetra Fact Sheet
