Rummy Nose Tetra Hemigrammus Rhodostomus 2cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Rummy Nose Tetra is one of the most popular shoaling fish, instantly recognised by its glowing red head, silver body and boldly banded black-and-white tail. It comes from blackwater rivers of the Orinoco and lower Amazon in Venezuela and Brazil. It suits peaceful, well-planted community aquariums and moves in an unusually tight, synchronised shoal.
- Adult Size: Around 5 cm (2 in)
- Lifespan: 5–6 years
Origin
- Native to: Orinoco and lower Amazon basins, Venezuela and Brazil
- Habitat: Tannin-stained, acidic blackwater rivers and forest streams
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Quality flake, micro granules, daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworm, cyclops
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds twice daily; frozen or live food improves colour
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other small tetras, rasboras, corydoras, apistogramma, otocinclus
- Avoid: Boisterous, large or fin-nipping fish; anything that eats small fish
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Very peaceful shoaling fish
- Territoriality: None; keep in groups of ten or more
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Sensitive to poor water quality and nitrate; needs a mature tank
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
- Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- Hardness: 2–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 90 litres; 90 cm long for a shoal of ten
Final Notes
The red head acts as a live water-quality gauge: it fades when conditions slip, so introduce this species only to a well-established aquarium and keep nitrate low with regular water changes. Colour also dulls in alkaline water. Egg-scattering spawns take place in the evening among fine-leaved plants, and females are noticeably rounder than males. Dim lighting, driftwood and leaf litter show the shoal at its best.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.