Breeding False Rummy-Nose Tetra (Petitella Georgiae) In The Aquarium

False Rummy-nose Tetra, False Rummynose Tetra, False Rummy Nose Tetra, Rummy Nose Tetra, Georgia Tetra

Occurrence

Freshwater fish that inhabit sections of clear-flowing rivers (Rio Purus, Rio Negro, Rio Madeira) in Peru and Brazil in natural conditions.

External appearance

This species is often confused with the Red-Nosed Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) and Bleher's Tetra (Hemigrammus Bleheri). There are several details distinguishing these three species, but they are difficult to grasp. Firstly, the Rummy Nose Tetra is the largest, and only in the case of Bleher's Tetra, the red color of the head can go beyond the gill covers (in the remaining two cases, red is outlined only on some parts of the head). However, this is not a sufficient identification criterion - the color of the head often changes depending on the fish's mood. Secondly, the coloring of the tail – the lack of a black spot at the bottom of its base indicates that we are dealing with the Rummy Nose Tetra. Thirdly, a black and white line running from the base of the tail along the lateral line - this line is invisible in Bleher's Tetra, Red-Nosed Tetra has a narrow and slightly outlined line, while in the Rummy Nose Tetra it is wide but poorly visible. Fourthly, black lines on the tail fin - in the Rummy Nose Tetra they are very wide, in Bleher's Tetra slightly narrower with external ones curved arched, in the Red-Nosed Tetra they are the narrowest with external ones placed at an angle, without bends. Fifthly, a spot at the base of the anal fin - it is clear and black in the Rummy Nose Tetra, light, barely visible in the Red-Nosed Tetra and not present at all in Bleher's Tetra. Females are slightly larger than males and have fuller belly areas.

Temperament

This is a peaceful, active, and schooling fish that should be kept in a larger group - a minimum of 6-8 individuals. The Rummy Nose Tetras form a compact and "tight" shoal - then they are less skittish, and the males, competing for the favor of females, display their best colors. These fish can be kept in a community aquarium with other peaceful and small species, such as: neon tetras, dwarf cichlids (Agassiz, kakdu, Reitziga, Bolivian, etc.), corydoras, barbs. Avoid keeping them with angelfish - they may nibble their fins.

Aquarium

Rummy Nose Tetra prefers spacious tanks, heavily planted, with decorative elements in the form of twisted roots. Don't forget about open spaces for free swimming. A dark substrate will highlight the beautiful colors of the fish. The lighting should be scattered and not too intense - floating plants will facilitate this. The species is sensitive to water parameters, especially the accumulation of nitrates - systematic water changes are essential.

Breeding

This species is oviparous. Breeding is not an easy task. Firstly, we should breed the fish in a separate aquarium, which is dimly lit, with delicate filtration, soft water with pH=5.5-6.5 and a temperature of 24-26ºC. Inside we put clumps of plants with small and delicate leaves or a grid to protect the eggs from the parents. We can breed the fish in a group or in pairs (we first separate males and females, for spawning we choose the thickest female and the most intensively colored male, we transfer them to the breeding tank in the evening). In both cases, we feed them richly with live food. Spawning takes place in the morning hours. We remove the parents immediately after the eggs appear - they eat the eggs and fry. The hatching of larvae takes place after 1-1.5 days, after another 4 days the fry freely swim in search of food. The eggs and the fry are sensitive to light, so after catching the parents, the tank should be darkened.