Rummynose Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri)

ringram

These are great fish. I only wish they weren't so sensitive. I've had ~10-12 in my tank over the past 6 months and only have 4. They usually tend to die over the first week or two of introducing them, but seem to last a long time once fully acclimated. I just added 4 more, so let's keep the fingers crossed. I like that they school tightly and stay near the bottom...not to mention the checkboard pattern on the tail and the red nose make them very unique.

tazcrash69

I love these guys, and wish I had more. I've been lucky with very little die off from them, but I also know my LFS, and they were in stock for at least 2 weeks before I took them home. I've also had some tank issues in the past, and they've all come through so I agree with the hardy after they are acclimated. They school nice and tight compared to my Harlequin Rasboras, and traverse the tank all day in the middle to low parts of the tank.

dekstr

The rummynose tetra is one of the best schooling fish to keep in a community tank with other small peaceful fish. However, they are slightly sensitive to water conditions, and prone to "ich" when initially store bought. All that requires is some simple correct knowledge of fishkeeping and their natural habitiat. When given the correct environment, rummynose tetras will thrive in any planted tank, becoming a stunning display of schooling fish in action. They originate from small creeks, streams, and brooks in the Amazon and Orinoco River watersheds, which are slightly acidic to neutral, soft (2-15dH), 72-82°F (22-28°C), and slightly tannin coloured. Given the right conditions, their heads will colour blood red. When their heads become pale, it is a sign of stress, check the water conditions and other possible stressors. Feed them flakes, insect larvae, brine shrimp, or tubifex. Breeding is very difficult. Keep in as large a group as possible given a minimum tank length of 20", from a minimum of 8 or 12. They require long open areas to school in--as long as the lights are on, they will not stop swimming tightly together from end to end. In addition, have heavily planted portions in the tank for them to hide when they feel threatened and to sleep in. Having some floating plants to diffuse the lighting will make them feel more secure. Water current should be slow to moderate. Peat filtration is recommended. Only introduce this fish in a well-established, cycled tank, as they do not tolerate wide fluctuatations in water parameters. As well, they are very suspectible to ich infections when store-bought, so quarantine is advised before introduction to the main tank. Since the fish is very sensitive to chemical medication, the best treatment for ich is to slowly raise the water temperature to 86°F--this temperature maintained for at least two weeks after the last ich "dot" visually appears.

lauraleellbp

There are actually three species of tetras that are commonly sold as "Rummy-nosed Tetras;" [I][B]Hemigrammus bleheri [/B][/I]from the Negro and Meta River basins, [B][I]H. rhodostomus [/I][/B]from the lower Amazon River basin and Orinoco River basin, and what is more commonly known as the "False Rummy-nosed Tetra" [I][B]Petitella georgiae[/B][/I] from the upper Amazon River basin in Peru; Purus, Negro, and Madeira River basins. As with most small South American fish, they typically are wild-caught and therefore very slow drip-acclimation and at least 2 week quarantine are highly recommended.

Gezza

Rednosed Tetra were happy to play along with my other fish and unusually ate the bloodworm I put in for the bottom feeder.

froghair

I had a school of 8 true rummynose tetras in a 29 gallon and they were wonderful. My tank was heavily planted but the middle was left open and these guys were constantly on the move. Their coloring is great. I'd recommend them to anyone. (I was fortunate in that I didn't lose a single one.)

phan10ms

I already lost 3. All my neons and cardinals are still living. Why are these guys so sensitive?

happi

IMO they are very hardy, i have notice that they are very sensitive to water temp being cold. i keep them around 78F, i only lost 2 due to water temp being drop to 68F (long story). their red nose is a good indicator of how good your water is, if there is any problem in your water then just at their nose. red - orange = excellent orange - pink = good pink - light pink = fair light pink - less color on nose = bad water quality

Delgriffth

Ive found that the health of these fish largely depends on what time of the year i purchase them. Summer time is the worst time to purchase them or any fish for that matter. Its tough for lfs and suppliers to ship tropical fish during the summer. water temp even with ice packs will rise to 80-85f during shipping. this isnt necessarily bad for the fish. its when they finally get to the lfs and theyre dumped back into 75f water that seems to do the most damage. just my two cents.

tanganyikatapwaterman

Very good choise for comunity tank.School fish in my option start from 20-40fishes.They eat from water surface with neon then go to buttom in company with catfishes.No need to clean gravel - after rammy all is clear!Very rammy even at my ph7.7.... twenty was and after ~400days twenty IS.

akdmks

I've got a school of 14 in my 37g tall and they are my absolute FAVORITE fish in the tank. Extremely active whenever the lights are on, always swimming with the current my koralia powerhead provides and they gladly accept any form of food -- flake, frozen or freeze dried. I hope to have a larger tank in the future (125g ) and hopefully I can get an enormous school of these guys in it. I HIGHLY recommend these guys to anyone going for a school of tetras. (in anything larger than a 30g) Make sure they have room to zoom back and forth in the tank because they are always on the move. By far the best "schooling" fish I've ever owned.

150EH

I currently have 11 of these fish in my tank, they are schoolers and do not like small numbers. They will not do as well in small numbers and should be introduced slowly to your tank to prevent loses. I have had no problems with temp or water conditions with these fish and they seem to be very easy to keep in large groups, I have had up to 35 at one time and they stick together and are fun to watch. Update: I have added only 5 more making my count 16 and plan to add more, these are without a doubt the best schooling fish, they never break formation ot travel without the rest of the pack.

Jake777

Video of my school of 11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAn_KxAW63M

In.a.Box

i add 3, 1 die. add 4, 1 die, add 2, 1 die. now i have 6. everytime i add more 1 of them always end up dead. but once acclimated have do well. my lfs have some in their display tank which is 10 yr old. thats what he say.. lol

clau74

Are my favorite, used in tank 12 Rummynose Tetra fish. These fish help me when I have problems with water in the tank.

Aquatic Delight

i was informed by my LFS that netting this little guys is not advised. my LFS told me that used to net their fish out of the tank, and bout 75% would die within the next 3 days. they learned that for some reason netting them out of the tank was causing the deaths. they started trapping them and their death count as dropped down to a normal level.

mitchfish9

Possibly the best tetra of all time. One of the best schoolers and has very unique coloration. I got 10 and havent lost a single one. I find them to be pretty easy to keep and a great indicator fish of water quality. I think the reason people have these massive die offs is that they don't get them from a good source.

garothmaan

Yes they are beautiful and they spawned in my planted tank. Somehow I am lucky and unlucky both. 5 fries and 2 adults all wiped off in 1 go due to co2 poisoning. I brought a new dozen and lets see what happens. This Time I am careful