"Enhance your aquarium with the vibrant Rummy Nose Tetra! Known for their distinctive red noses and peaceful nature, these fish are perfect for community tanks."

Overview: The Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) is a visually striking and popular freshwater fish native to the slow-moving rivers and streams of South America. Their unique appearance, characterized by a bright red nose and distinctive black and white striped tail, makes them a favorite among aquarists. Rummy Nose Tetras are known for their schooling behavior and peaceful temperament, making them ideal for community tanks.

Appearance:

• Coloration: The most distinctive feature of the Rummy Nose Tetra is its vibrant red nose, which contrasts beautifully with its silver body. The tail fin has a striking pattern of black and white horizontal stripes.
• Body Shape: They have a slender, streamlined body typical of tetras. Their fins are mostly transparent, except for the patterned tail.
• Size: Rummy Nose Tetras are small fish, typically growing up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length.

Water Conditions: To ensure the health and vibrancy of Rummy Nose Tetras, maintain the following water conditions:

• Temperature: 75-81°F (24-27°C).
• pH Range: 6.0-7.0.
• Water Hardness: 2-10 dGH.
• Tank Size: A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended to accommodate a school of Rummy Nose Tetras, with larger tanks preferred for larger groups and more stable water conditions.

Tank Setup: Creating an ideal habitat for your Rummy Nose Tetras involves several considerations:

• Substrate: Use a dark, fine gravel or sandy substrate to mimic their natural riverbed environment and enhance their colors.
• Decor: Include plenty of live plants, such as Java moss, Amazon swords, and Cryptocoryne, to provide hiding spots and create a naturalistic setting. Driftwood and leaf litter can also be added to mimic their natural habitat.
• Filtration: A gentle filter is preferred, as strong currents can stress these small fish. Sponge filters or hang-on-back filters with adjustable flow are ideal for maintaining water quality without creating excessive water movement.
• Lighting: Moderate lighting is sufficient to highlight their vibrant colors and support plant growth. Dim lighting can help them feel more secure and reduce stress.

Tank Mates: Rummy Nose Tetras are peaceful and social, making them suitable for community tanks. Choose tank mates carefully:

• Compatible Species: Other peaceful fish such as Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Corydoras catfish, small Gouramis, and other small, non-aggressive fish. Shrimp and snails can also be good tank mates.
• Incompatible Species: Avoid larger, aggressive fish or fin-nippers like Barbs and Cichlids that can harass or harm tetras.

Feeding Habit: Rummy Nose Tetras are omnivores with diverse dietary needs. Provide a varied diet to keep them healthy and vibrant:

• Staple Diet: High-quality flake or micro pellet food designed for tropical fish.
• Supplements: Offer live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and bloodworms to provide necessary protein and variety.
• Vegetables: Include blanched vegetables like spinach or zucchini occasionally.
• Feeding Frequency: Feed them 2-3 times a day in small portions to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Care and Maintenance: Regular care and maintenance are crucial for the well-being of your Rummy Nose Tetras:

• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20-30% to keep water parameters stable and reduce waste buildup.
• Health Monitoring: Watch for signs of common fish diseases such as fin rot, ich, and parasitic infections. Early detection and treatment are vital.
• Behavioral Observation: Observe their behavior regularly. Healthy tetras are active, schooling together, and exhibit vibrant coloration.

Breeding: Breeding Rummy Nose Tetras can be challenging but rewarding:

• Pair Selection: Choose healthy and vibrant pairs to enhance breeding success. Males and females are difficult to distinguish, but females may appear slightly rounder when full of eggs.
• Spawning Environment: Set up a separate breeding tank with slightly acidic, soft water. Provide fine-leaved plants or spawning mops where eggs can be deposited.
• Fry Care: Once the eggs are laid, remove the adults to prevent them from eating the eggs. The eggs will hatch in about 24-36 hours. Feed the fry infusoria or commercially available liquid fry food until they are large enough to eat micro worms or finely crushed flake food.