Rummy-nose tetra care guide
Also called: Rummynose tetra, Rummy nose tetra, Firehead tetra, Brilliant rummy-nose tetra, Red-nose tetra
The rummy-nose tetra is a peaceful schooling fish with a bright red head and a black-and-white striped tail. It forms one of the tightest schools in the hobby, but it needs a group of 10 or more, a long tank and very clean, stable water.
Rummy-nose tetras need a tank of at least 29 gallons (110 L), a group of 10 or more, and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 5.5–7. They grow to about 5 cm (2 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with rummy-nose tetrasSee all tank mates
Rummy-nose tetra quick facts
| Scientific name | Petitella bleheri |
|---|---|
| Family | Acestrorhamphidae |
| Origin | Rio Negro, Orinoco and lower Amazon basins, South America |
| Adult size | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Minimum tank | 29 gallons (110 L), at least 90 cm (35 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 5.5–7 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–12 dGH |
| Group size | 10 or more (schooling fish) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 4–6 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
A group of 10 needs a tank of about 30 gallons (110 L) that is at least 36 in (90 cm) long, because these active fish cruise from end to end all day. Keep open swimming space in the middle with plants and driftwood around it. Floating plants and leaf litter are welcome, as long as there is plenty of room to swim.
How many rummy-nose tetras in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits rummy-nose tetras is a 40 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Rummy-nose tetras (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | 10–39 |
| 55 gallon | 10–53 |
| 75 gallon | 10–73 |
| 125 gallon | 10–121 |
What you need for rummy-nose tetras
Sized for a 29 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 10 rummy-nose tetras. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 29 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 29 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 242 lb (110 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 150 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 115–175 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 45 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for rummy-nose tetras
- Micro pellets or flakes for small fish (opens Amazon in a new tab)Small enough for tetras, rasboras and other nano fish.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 5.5–7.0 and 2–12 dGH, and hold the temperature steady. They are more sensitive to poor water than most tetras, so the tank should be fully cycled with low nitrate. Their colors fade in hard, alkaline water.
Best tank mates for rummy-nose tetras
These popular species share rummy-nose tetras' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 83 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping rummy-nose tetras with
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Rummy-nose tetra 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Rummy-nose tetra 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat rummy-nose tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bala shark: Bala shark can eat rummy-nose tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rummy-nose tetras.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful rummy-nose tetras.
Feeding
An omnivore with a small mouth. Feed small flakes, granules or nano pellets plus frozen or live foods such as daphnia, baby brine shrimp and bloodworm. A varied diet keeps the red head bright.
Behavior
Very peaceful and one of the tightest-schooling tetras, usually moving in sync through the middle of the tank. It does poorly with large or boisterous fish but suits other tetras, corydoras and dwarf cichlids, and because it likes warm water it is a common discus companion. A pale nose is an early warning that something in the tank is wrong.
Breeding
Difficult. Use a small, very dim spawning tank with soft, acidic water (about pH 5.5–6.5 and 1–5 dGH) at 27–29 °C (81–84 °F), with java moss or spawning mops over mesh. Spawning tends to happen in the evening or early the next morning, and the adults should be removed once eggs appear. Fry hatch in 1–1.5 days and need infusoria-sized food at first.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Watch the red nose. If it fades, test the water first, because it is an early stress signal.
- Keep 10 or more. They need a bigger group than most tetras to school properly.
- Store fish can look pale right after netting or shipping. Check again after about 30 minutes before judging them.
- Quarantine new fish, as imports sometimes arrive with ich or bacterial infections.
- A long tank matters more than a tall one for this end-to-end swimmer.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my rummy-nose tetra's nose pale?
A faded red head usually means stress from poor water quality, a drop in temperature, bullying or illness. Test the water and fix any problem; the color normally comes back once conditions improve.
How many rummy-nose tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 10, and more is better. They school tightly and become nervous in small groups.
Are there different kinds of rummy-nose tetra?
Yes. Three look-alike species are sold under the name: the true rummy-nose, the firehead (brilliant) rummy-nose, which is the one most often in stores, and the false rummy-nose. All three need very similar care.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.