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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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
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.
