Individual Fish Description Page
This page will give a completely detailed profile of the
selected fish, from A to Z. The profiled fish will be
chosen randomly by Badman, and will come from the complete
genre of tropical fish. I will try to up-date the profile
on a monthly basis. If you have a specific fish you want
profiled please vote for it in the favorite fish poll on the main index page. This month the profile was written by Pandora, a knowledgeable and helpful hobbyist. If you would like to write a profile just email me and let me know.
Cecilia, AKA Pandora
Should Have Been a Pisces
Pandora's Box
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
Overview:
A pretty and very peaceful tetra that spends its time actively schooling with others of the same species. Fits into almost any community tank, so long as the water conditions are high quality and some hiding places (at least either plastic or live plants).
Quick stats:
size: | 2 inches |
tank: | 30 inches |
strata: | middle |
pH: | 6.0 to 7.5 |
Hardness: | Soft to neutral
|
temperature: | 74o to 82o f |
Classification:
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Sub-order: | Characoidei |
Family: | Characidae |
Genera: | Hemigrammus |
Common name:
Rummy-nose tetra
Distribution:
Lower Amazon region, around Aripiranga and Para.
General Body Form:
Torpedo shaped, elongate body.
Coloration:
This is a distinctive looking little tetra with black and white "checkerboard" markings on its tail and a bright red nose, for which it is named. The red nose is actually the best indication of the fish's health and well-being--when it is feeling ill at ease or not in tip-top shape (for example, when first introduced to the tank), this red will fade to a dull pink, barely distinguishable from its unremarkable grey body color.
Maintenance:
The rummy-nose tetra is an excellent fish for the community tank once it is adjusted to its surroundings, but this initial adaptive phase can be a bit longer than for some fish. In the meantime, it tends to be sensitive to water quality, so test this frequently. It does not take well to addition of salt and many chemical additives, and pH fluctuations can kill it. It must be kept with at least 3 members of its own species, or else it will sulk in the corner and show signs of stress. Healthy species will adapt eventually to a well-planted tank and school actively in and out of every corner of the aquarium, their noses glowing brightly.
Biotope:
A planted South American Riverbank set-up.
Breeding:
This is a delicate fish and is very hard to breed. Provide a large tank with lots of plants and very soft water. several pairs should be placed together. After a long period of acclimation and conditioning they may spawn. A small number of eggs are produced which will hatch in about thirty hours.
back to the fish profile page.
Email:
badman2nd@hotmail.com