American Characins - Red-Nose -Rummy Nose- Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri)

Bilyap Aquaristic

Bilyap Aquaristic

Aquarium Atlas Vol. I

Red-Nose Tetra (also known as Rummy Nose Tetra) is a very attractive school fish from black waters of Amazon (e.g. Rio Negro). It is an energetic swimmer and needs accordingly a roomy aquarium with open swimming space. It can be kept together with other small peaceful fish such as Corydoras, Apistogramma or Nannacara species. Choosing black water species as tank mates has the advantage of common physical (or chemical) needs: Soft and acidic water.

Its pronounced schooling behavior is one of the features of Red-Nose Tetra which makes it so popular among aquarists. A large group swimming around in a tight school, with bright red noses and checkerboard patterned tails is really a very attractive sight. Red-Nose Tetra is a gorgeous and social fish; it should be kept in groups of at least 12 individuals.

Despite of its black water origins Red-Nose Tetra may well be kept in harder water but the initial acclimatization is not always easy. Most commercial fish are wild-caught due to the species' difficulty of breeding in captivity and the acclimatization of such fish may take quite a long time to acclimatize, if at all. Once acclimatized and recovered from its starved appearance Red-Nose is an enduring fish which may live several years under adequate aquarium conditions. The cleanness of water is as important as the hardness and acidity. Nitrite and nitrate levels must constantly be kept low and pH fluctuations must be avoided.

A bright red nose is a very good indicator of this species' well-being. If Red-Nose does not feel itself comfortable or if it is just introduced to the aquarium and not yet adjusted to its new environment and school mates, the bright red will fade into a dull pink barely distinguishable from its white-gray body color. The checkerboard markings of the tail will fade too. You may have to wait several weeks to see the real potential of this beautiful fish.

Breeding Red-Nose Tetra is still a real challenge; their eggs are prone to fungal infections and the tiny fry requires fine live food such as infusoria and freshly hatched brine shrimp larvae for a long period of time. Water of the breeding tank must be very soft (GH 1-3 d) with pH lower than 6.0. Peat filtering is recommended. The breeding tank should be darkened to prevent fungal infections. Eggs hatch in about 36 hours at a temperature of 26 C and the fry begins to swim in about five days. Because the young fish are very sensitive water quality must be constantly monitored. After a month or so you can start gradually increasing water hardness.
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