True Rummynose Tetra Care Guide
Hemigrammus bleheri, the firehead or rummynose tetra, is a tight-schooling characin from the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins with a vivid red head.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hemigrammus bleheri, the firehead or brilliant rummynose tetra, is a small characin known for an intense red head that extends past the gill plate into the humeral region and a black-and-white banded tail. It schools very tightly in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae (FishBase and Wikipedia now place it as Petitella bleheri, order Characiformes)
- Genus: Hemigrammus
- Scientific name: Hemigrammus bleheri
- Common synonyms: firehead tetra, brilliant rummynose, rednose tetra
Habitat
The species occurs in the middle Rio Negro and upper-to-middle Rio Orinoco basins across Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, in clear and blackwater tributaries within flooded forests; the water is typically tannin-stained and acidic (Wikipedia, Seriously Fish, FishBase).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (Seriously Fish suggests a base length of at least 90 cm)
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (Seriously Fish and FishBase report 23-26 °C)
- pH: 5.5-7.0 (FishBase 5.0-6.0)
- GH: 1-8 °dGH (Seriously Fish 2-15 dH)
- Maximum size: about 3.6 cm SL (FishBase); up to 5 cm reported by Seriously Fish
- School size: 10 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-7 years
Diet
It is omnivorous; in the Rio Negro its gut contents have included algae, zooplankton, plant matter and detritus. In the aquarium it accepts small dried foods plus live and frozen items sized for its small mouth.
Compatibility
The rummynose is peaceful and forms tight shoals, and should be kept in groups of at least 10. It suits calm community tanks with Cardinal tetras, discus and angelfish; aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
It is an egg-scatterer. Seriously Fish reports adhesive eggs that hatch in about 24-36 hours, with fry free-swimming after 3-4 days and requiring infusoria before moving on to microworms or brine shrimp nauplii.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).
True Rummynose Tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) Breeding Guide
Overview
Hemigrammus bleheri, the true or Bleher's rummynose, comes from the Rio Meta and Rio Negro in Colombia and Brazil and reaches about 5 cm. Seriously Fish documents both group and pair spawning methods for this egg-scattering species, which does not guard its eggs.
Sexing
Mature females are noticeably rounder in the body than males. This difference is clearest when females are conditioned and carrying eggs.
Conditioning
For group spawning, condition half a dozen specimens of each sex on live and frozen foods. For pair spawning, condition males and females separately on high-quality frozen and live foods at 75-78 F before pairing.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish recommends an 18 x 12 x 12 inch tank with dim lighting and fine-leaved plants such as java moss, spawning mops, or a mesh base. For pair spawning, transfer the fish to a tank at 82-86 F with the pH on the acidic side. General care parameters are 23-26 C, pH 5.5-7.0 and hardness 2-15 dH.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Warmer, more acidic water triggers spawning. Adults will consume the eggs and should be removed at the first opportunity once the spawn is laid.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and fry become free-swimming 3-4 days later. The eggs and fry are light-sensitive in the early stages of life. First food is an infusoria-type food until the fry are large enough for microworms or brine shrimp nauplii.