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Rummy-nose tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Hemigrammus bleheri

Rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm (2 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F) and pH 5.5–6.0.

Minimum tank

at least 90 cm (35 in) long

Adult size

5 cm (2 in)

Temperature

23–26 °C (73–79 °F)

pH

pH 5.5–6.0

Group

10 or more

Rummy-nose tetra minimum tank size

Rummy-nose tetras need at least a tank at least 90 cm (35 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 5 cm (2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (20 cm (7.9 in)).

Rummy-nose tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against rummy-nose tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (9)

• Black neon tetra
• Cardinal tetra
• Ember tetra
• Glass catfish
• Harlequin rasbora
• Kribensis
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra

With care (18)

• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by black skirt tetras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by bronze corydoras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cherry barbs and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by Congo tetras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by dwarf gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by glowlight tetras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by honey gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Panda corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by panda corydoras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by pearl gouramis and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 23 °C (73 °F), set by rummy-nose tetras and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by peppered corydoras and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets.
• Tiger barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by tiger barbs and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin. Tiger barbs nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by yoyo loaches and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin. Yoyo loaches nip and chase; shy rummy-nose tetras are likely targets. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.
• Zebra danioThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by zebra danios and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (25)

• AngelfishAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• BettaBettas need pH 6.8–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as rummy-nose tetras, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); rummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos need pH 6.5–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios need pH 6.5–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cherry shrimpCherry shrimp need pH 6.5–8.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so rummy-nose tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need pH 7.0–8.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); rummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• GoldfishRummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• GuppyGuppies need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Nerite snailNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; rummy-nose tetras grow to 5 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by oscars and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin. Rummy-nose tetras (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishRummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by paradise fish and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Red tail sharkRed tail sharks need pH 6.5–7.5; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Rosy barbRummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by rosy barbs and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterSiamese algae eaters need pH 6.5–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• SwordtailSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowRummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by white cloud mountain minnows and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank