Tetras · Petitella bleheri

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 namePetitella bleheri
FamilyAcestrorhamphidae
OriginRio Negro, Orinoco and lower Amazon basins, South America
Adult size5 cm (2 in)
Minimum tank29 gallons (110 L), at least 90 cm (35 in) long
Temperature24–28°C (75–82°F)
pH5.5–7
Hardness (GH)2–12 dGH
Group size10 or more (schooling fish)
TemperamentPeaceful
Swims atMiddle
DietOmnivore
Care levelModerate
Lifespan4–6 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.

TankRummy-nose tetras (alone)
3 gallonToo small
5 gallonToo small
10 gallonToo small
15 gallonToo small
20 gallonToo small
20 gallon longToo small
29 gallonToo small
40 gallon10–39
55 gallon10–53
75 gallon10–73
125 gallon10–121

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

Food and extras for rummy-nose tetras

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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.

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.