The Red Nose Indicator
A healthy rummy-nose has a brilliant red face and snout. Faded or pale nose means stress, poor water, or disease.
This is the most reliable visual water quality indicator in the hobby. Many keepers monitor rummy-nose color daily as an early warning.
Tank Requirements
30-gallon minimum for a proper school of 10-15. Length matters more than depth — they need swimming room.
Soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.8, GH under 8). Temperature 75-81°F. Driftwood and Indian almond leaves to maintain blackwater conditions.
- ✦Hard water mutes the red nose color.
- ✦Strong filter flow simulates river current — they enjoy it.
Schooling
Schools tighter and more uniformly than any other tetra. A school of 15+ moves as one organism, turning together perfectly.
Add at least 10 — smaller groups school poorly and lose color.
Diet
Small mouths. Crushed flake, micro pellets, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp.
Live food brings color intensity.
Tank Mates
Best with other Amazon biotope fish — cardinal tetras, hatchetfish, corydoras, otocinclus, dwarf cichlids (apistogramma, rams).
Avoid: aggressive fish, large fish, hard-water species.
Common Problems
Pale nose = water issue. Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate; do a 30% water change.
Bunched fins = stress or disease. Investigate cause immediately.
Loss of school cohesion = group too small or stress. Add more fish.