Rummy-nose tetra
Small Amazonian characin with a red head and striped tail.
The rummy-nose tetra is a small freshwater fish native to the Brazilian Amazon. It features a distinctive red face and black-and-white striped tail. Popular in aquariums, it requires warm, acidic water and tight schooling groups for health.
- Endemic to the lower Amazon basin in Brazil
- Head turns pale when water quality declines
- Requires warm, soft, and acidic water conditions
- Fry are among the slowest growing aquarium characins
- Must be kept in schools of six or more individuals
What it is
This small characin reaches a maximum length of five centimetres. Its body is fusiform and translucent silver, often with a greenish tint on the scales. The head displays a deep, iridescent red colour that extends into the eyes and slightly onto the body. The fins are clear except for the tail, which features horizontal black and white stripes. Males and females look similar, though gravid females appear fuller.
Where it lives
The species is endemic to the lower Amazon basin in Pará state, Brazil. It inhabits river stretches with soft, acidic water rich in humic acids from decaying leaf litter. These dark waters, known as blackwaters, often have sparse aquatic plants due to rainforest shading. The fish prefers the middle and lower sections of the water column.
How it lives
Rummy-nose tetras are strict schoolers that stay close together in the wild and captivity. They feed in the mid to lower levels of the water, accepting flakes, pellets, and live foods like bloodworms. They act as biological indicators, losing their red facial colour when water quality drops due to ammonia or nitrite spikes. The colour returns once conditions improve.
Breeding and life cycle
Breeding is difficult due to specific water chemistry needs and slow fry growth. Parents require soft, acidic water low in calcium to remain fertile. Spawning occurs in subdued light among fine-leaved plants or moss. Eggs hatch in three to four days at high temperatures. Fry grow slowly, needing infusoria for weeks and careful management of water parameters to prevent disease.
Fish and people
Aquarists value this fish for its striking appearance and schooling behaviour. It thrives in warm tanks between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius with compatible tank mates like small gouramis or other tetras. It cannot live with cold-water species or African cichlids. A group of at least six is recommended to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.
Questions people ask about Rummy-nose tetra
Why is my rummy-nose tetra losing its red colour?
Pale colouration indicates poor water quality, specifically high levels of ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates. The fish acts as a warning sign for pollution. Perform water tests and changes to restore chemical balance, and the red hue should return.
Can I keep rummy-nose tetras with cold water fish?
No. These tetras require warm water between 24 and 31 degrees Celsius. Cold-water species like panda corydoras have different temperature needs. Keeping them together causes stress and health issues for both types of fish.
How many rummy-nose tetras should I keep?
You should keep at least six individuals together. They are schooling fish that feel secure in groups. Larger numbers are better if space allows, as tight schooling is their natural behaviour in both the wild and aquariums.
Good reading and sources
- Rummy-nose tetra on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rummy-nose tetra", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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