Rummy-nose Tetra
A schooling fish famous for its red nose that fades when stressed. Great in groups in a mature tank and often used as a water-quality indicator.
tankSize
75L (20 gal) minimum for a school
careLevel
Intermediate
temperature
25 to 28C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Quality flakes or micro-pellets plus frozen foods
lifespan
4 to 6 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (schooling)
weeklyMaintenance
Consistent water changes and testing
Best for
- Owners who keep stable, well-maintained tanks
- People who love tight schooling behavior
- Planted community tanks with gentle fish
- Aquariums with warm, consistent temperatures
Not ideal for
- New or unstable aquariums
- Tanks with aggressive fish
- Owners who cannot test water regularly
- Very small tanks without room for a school
Temperament
- Peaceful and social
- Schools tightly when comfortable
- Sensitive to poor water quality
Daily routine
feeding: Feed once or twice daily with varied, small foods.
check: Watch nose color and schooling tightness as stress signals.
enrichment: Plants and open midwater space support natural movement.
Living fit
smallHome: Works in mid-sized community tanks with routine care.
kids: Great for learning observation and care habits.
firstTimeOwner: Better after mastering cycling and testing.
Health notes
- Red nose fading can signal stress or water issues.
- Stable, mature tanks reduce outbreaks.
- Quarantine new fish and avoid sudden changes.
Cost and time
time: Low daily time, moderate weekly testing and water changes.
cost: Moderate setup cost for stability and warm temperature control.
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