Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Family: Characidae • Origin: South America
The Rummy Nose Tetra is prized for its tight schooling behavior and vivid red face. The intensity of red on its nose indicates water quality.
Min Tank
20 gal
Max Size
2.5"
Temperature
75-84°F
pH
5.5-7
Lifespan
6 years
School Size
6+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
2-8 dGH
peacefulintermediateomnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Red nose indicates good water quality
- • Keep in schools of 8+
- • Prefers soft acidic water
- • Tightest schooling of all tetras
- • Sensitive to water quality
Feeding: Flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods.
Compatibility Notes: Red nose fades in poor water — great indicator of water quality. Keep in large schools.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 6+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–84°F
- pH Range
- 5.5–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–8
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Red nose fades in poor water — great indicator of water quality. Keep in large schools.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 6 years
Ideal For
20 galloncommunityplanted tank
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
Similar Species
Congo Tetra
Phenacogrammus interruptus
75-81°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3.5"
False Rummy Nose Tetra
Petitella georgiae
75-82°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Pencilfish
Nannostomus beckfordi
75-82°FpH 5.5-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Bleeding Heart Tetra
Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma
72-82°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+3"