Rummynose

[Kittycat]

Someone in the other board started a thread on the high mortality rate they're getting when they buy cardinal tetras, and I'm wondering if it's the same for rummynose. From what I've read about them, they are rather delicate, which has me worried as I'm thinking about getting them. What has been your experience with them, guys?

 

[Lateral Line]

There are 3 species which are commonly called "Rummy Nose Tetras". The original, and probably the least colourful of the 3 is Hemigrammus rhodostomus. This is the one you see most often as it is from nearer the mouth of the Amazon where the water conditions vary a bit more - it is therefore the most robust of the 3.

The other 2 are Hemigrammus bleheri and Petitella georgiae. Both are from blackwater environs of the Rio Negro and it's tributaries North West of Manaus. These are more colourful, but more demanding as to water conditions, (like many blackwater fish). These two both go under the common name of "False Rummy Nose Tetra", but frequently the oiks in the LFS just call whatever they get "Rummy Noses".

They look alike, but the blackwater species have a much clearer pattern in the caudal fin, the stripes can be almost absent in H. rhosostomus. Also the size of the red patch on the head varies with the species, again H. rhodostomus usually has the smallest red hood, H. bleheri the largest.

Thus it depends which species you have, but it is certainly true that on balance, they are a fairly delicate group of fish. The blackwater species, particulaly so, they also prefer higher water temperatures.

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks! Temperature is not a problem for me as I live in a tropical country, what I fear most is losing fish on the way home or upon introduction...To be honest I've never had that happen (though I've lost my share through diseases and stupid newbie mistakes), and I think it would just be rather traumatic and discouraging for me if that happens.

 

[millym]

hi
we just discovered rummy noses a couple of months ago & we love them. im not sure exactly what variety we have but ours have bright pink faces,silver bodies & the black & white tails & theyre brilliant little fish which always seem to hang in a little shoal. we had 8 but sadly one died shortly after we got them (he didnt look quite 'right' from the start - but we dont like scooping a new fish out again & putting it through the stress of a trip back to our lfs for an exchange, wed rather see if we can save it)
our tank temp is usually around 24c & we have very hard water (ph usually 7.8 ish) due to the london tap stuff. ive read rummys prefer slightly acidic water but our remaining 7 look very happy & healthy.
i can only highly recommend them ( as long as they are compatable with your other tank inhabitants obviously - see my sig for what lives with ours)as they are quite stunning to look at & always a very active little shoal flitting about in & around our plants & playing in the bubbles. ours went very pale whilst in the lfs bag & for the first 5 mins or so they were released but then brightened up & have had their gorgeous vivid pink faces ever since.
hope this helps a little.

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks, millyn. Yep, they're beauties, all right, I'm going to try for them when I have room in my tanks. I found some sites before on the three species and how to tell them apart, some with illustrations, so you might try searching for them if you're curious.

 

[Sanj]

I found them a bit difficult and cardinals too.

I seem to not be able to keep a school of greater than 4 for very long.

Last year i bought 10 Runmmys thgey slowly declined to four.

I had 25 cardinals and they declined to around 15.


I bought 10 more rummys and 10 more cardinals and a few months later i am down to 4 rummys and 4 cardinals...and they arent the same fish as before