Red-nosed tetra – species

The red-nosed tetra is unquestionably something you should consider if you’re a fan of colorful and active fish for your aquarium. These striking little fish give any tank a pop of color and lots of personality. Red-nosed tetras are native to the rivers and streams of South America. They are distinguished by their sleek, silver bodies that shimmer beneath the water and their bright, reddish-orange noses. Fish lovers love them for their vibrant behavior and eye-catching appearance.

Because they require little maintenance, red-nosed tetras are perfect for both novice and seasoned aquarium keepers. They do best in tanks that are densely planted and have some current to simulate their natural environment. It’s best to keep these fish in groups of at least six because they are peaceful and thrive in schools. They are fascinating to watch as they dart around the tank, frequently showcasing their entire color spectrum, thanks to their gregarious nature and energetic swimming patterns.

Red-nosed tetras make excellent tank companions because they are highly adaptive and get along with other calm species. They like their water to be slightly acidic rather than neutral, and they eat a varied diet that includes frozen or live foods as well as premium flakes. With the right setup and maintenance, you can guarantee that these gorgeous fish in your aquarium will be healthy and lively for many years to come.

Red-nosed tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) Gery-Mahnert, 1984

Habitat and habitat

Resides in the Rio Negro basin of Brazil and the Meta, Inirida, Vichada, and Vaupes rivers of Colombia. It was named after Bleher, who was the first to catch it.

Behavior and compatibility

Fish that school peacefully. They are timid and, if transplanted or transported, can go into shock (numbness, sporadic uncoordinated movements, body darkening) and die. Therefore, you must handle them carefully.

Aquarium

Use a 30-liter aquarium that is heavily planted with plants for keeping. It is essential to provide room for swimming. The ideal water temperature ranges are 23–25 °C, pH 6.0–7.0, and hardness up to 12 °C (ideally no more than 6-7 °C). The water ought to be clear and pure. It is essential to perform aeration, filtration, and a weekly replacement of approximately 25% of the water volume with newly settled.

Feeding

They consume frozen and live food, but you can also feed them dry food.

Sexual dimorphism

Compared to the male, the female is bigger and fuller. The male has a deeper coloration. It has a hook (perhaps absent in some individuals) on its anal fin, which it frequently uses to cling to the net during transplants.

Breeding

It is not easy to breed fish. The breeders are fed well and variedly prior to spawning. It is advised to separate males and females for a week or so. Freshly prepared soft water and water from an aquarium containing recently spawned fish (not necessarily of this species, but preferably of the same genus or at least family) should be added to encourage spawning. The water temperature should also be raised. Although groups of birds can spawn, it is preferable to split up a pair or a female with two males.

A spawning tank is a 25–40 liter soilless aquarium that has been thoroughly cleaned and heavily planted with plants. They ought to be found at the bottom as well as beneath the surface, and thoroughly cleaned. There are roughly 20 centimeters of water. Temperature: 26–27 °C; hardness: 2–5 ° (less than 1 ° was necessary for the first successful spawnings; later, breeding at 7–11 ° was reported); pH: 5.5–6.8. The fish spawned in regular water as well as peat, which is thought to be superior, but more frequently with the addition of a few drops of "Toru-min."

There’s a hint of stickiness to the eggs. A portion of it settles on the bottom-lying plants, while the remaining portion is held in place by leaves that are oriented horizontally (apparently, the stickiness of the eggs increases with time). Female fertility ranges from 150–200 eggs, but can reach 400 eggs at times.

Manufacturers are planted after spawning to prevent them from consuming caviare, and the aquarium is darkened. To avoid any problems, the water where the eggs are kept should have a small amount of methylene blue or trypaflavin added to it. You can use a dropper to provide ozonized water that has the same specifications as the incubator.

In a day or two, the larvae hatch, depending on the conditions. After that, you must take out the plants and reduce the water to 10 centimeters. When the fry begin to swim after three to five days, they should be given infusoria. From the second week onward, they should be given Artemia nauplii and infusoria, followed by small cyclops, etc.

The young grow quickly in the rearing aquarium when part of the water is replaced on a regular basis (two to three times a week, or one-fourth to one-fifth of the volume). It starts to turn color at the age of two to three weeks, and by the time it is two months old, it is about 4 cm long.

Petitella or False Red-nosed Tetra (Petitella georgiae) Gery-Boutiere, 1964

Still, there are some arguments against the latter name. It was given because, up until recently, they were unaware of Hemramus Bleer’s existence and thought that lovers in aquariums shared a fish that resembled Petella Rodostomus. Recent studies have demonstrated that this is incorrect.

Originating in the upper Amazon basin of Peru, or rather its tributaries, the lower reaches of the Huallaga, Marañon, and Hualanga rivers near the city of Iquitos, could be considered native.

The fish typically reaches a maximum length of 5 cm. Compared to the male, the female is bigger and fuller. This fish is also a calm, active schooling species.

Similar to that of Hemigrammus Bleer, the aquarium should ideally be kept in a school. pH 6.0 to 7.0, water temperature 22–25 °C, and hardness up to 12 ° (though better, apparently, up to 5–6 °). The water must be clear and pure, and it must be aerated and replenished every week with up to 25% fresh settled water.

It can also be fed dry food.It consumes live and frozen food.

It is difficult to breed petitella, like Hemigrammus Bleer. The fish become sexually mature at the age of 6-8 months. Not every female is capable of spawning. The best results are achieved by schooling spawning, but paired spawning is also possible. Spawning tank – from 15 liters, all-glass, thoroughly disinfected, without soil. Well-washed plants are placed in it, and preferably a protective net, since the producers can eat the eggs. Water level is 15-20 centimeters, temperature 25-27 ° C, hardness up to 5 °, pH about 6.2. It is advisable to peat the water, although successful cases of breeding have been noted without it. The eggs fall to the bottom and on the plants.

The producers are taken out of the aquarium and the water is made darker after spawning. The incubation period can extend up to thirty minutes or longer, contingent on the temperature and hardness of the water (perhaps in conjunction with a specific pH level). Four to six days after hatching, the fry start swimming. After that, the plants and net are taken down, and the water is lowered to a depth of 10 cm. "Live dust" is fed to the fry first, followed by crustacean nauplii.

Rhodostomus (Hemigrammus rhodostomus) Ahl, 1929

Seldom encountered in the natural world (dwells near Belem, in northern Brazil). inhabits extremely soft water and is still getting used to aquarium life. Hemigrammus bleeri and petitella were imported to Europe under this name, but primarily Hemigrammus in recent years.

Popular in home aquariums, the Red-Nosed Tetra is praised for its vivid colors and lively habits, which make it a delightful addition to many freshwater tanks. These fish, which live in schools and are distinguished by their characteristic red snout and shimmering scales, are relatively easy to care for and add beauty and movement to any aquatic setup. Aquarium enthusiasts can create the ideal habitat for these vibrant and striking fish by having a thorough understanding of their dietary requirements, social behavior, and habitat requirements.

Description / Distinction

The following characteristics set these three species apart:

Hemigrammus bleeri has red that extends past the gill cover and forms a tapering wedge that reaches the area of the body beneath the base of the dorsal fin; there is a dark bean-shaped patch on the caudal peduncle that is visible from both above and below; the dark wedge tapers from the caudal fin and ends beneath the adipose fin.

In petitella, the redness stops at the gill cover, a dark wedge appears behind the adipose fin and barely reaches the dorsal fin, and a dark bean-shaped patch appears only on top of the caudal peduncle.

The least colorful species is Rhodostomus, which has bean-shaped spots both above and below and a dark spot that extends from the tail beneath them but does not reach the adipose fin. Its redness also does not extend past the gill cover, is less common than even in petitella, and only shows up in favorable living conditions.

An eye-catching and captivating species, the Red-nosed Tetra is a wonderful addition to any freshwater aquarium. It adds a pop of color and vibrancy to your tank with its vivid red nose and shimmering body. These fish are a fantastic option for both novice and experienced aquarists because they are not only gorgeous but also reasonably simple to care for.

Red-nosed Tetras are peaceful, gregarious fish that do best in groups, according to their behavior. If given adequate room and company, they thrive in a community tank. Their gregarious demeanor and schooling patterns give your aquarium dynamic movement, which amplifies its visual appeal.

Red-nosed Tetras are simple to maintain. Although they can tolerate a variety of water conditions, they prefer slightly acidic water over neutral. These fish can be kept happy and healthy with proper tank mates, regular tank maintenance, and a balanced diet. They can live long, colorful lives if given the right care, which makes them a worthwhile addition to any aquarium.

Video on the topic

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