All fish / Characidae

False Rummy-nose Tetra

Petitella georgiae

Also known as false rummynose tetra, false rummy nose tetra, rummy nose tetra, rummynose tetra, peruvian rummy nose, georgiae tetra, ファルス・ラミーノーズ・テトラ, 红鼻剪刀, 假红鼻剪刀

A slim silvery tetra with a red head and a black and white striped tail, the red usually being less intense and confined to the head compared with the true rummy-noses. It is kept for its tight schooling behaviour, which looks striking in a planted soft-water aquarium.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 to 7

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 10 or more

Diet

Omnivore: quality flakes and micro pellets with live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru and Brazil

Breeding

An egg-scattering species with no parental care that needs very soft, acidic water to spawn. It is rarely bred in captivity and most fish sold are wild-caught.

Good to know

It is easily confused with Hemigrammus rhodostomus and H. bleheri, and trade fish are often mislabelled. It is sensitive to poor water quality, so add it only to a mature, stable tank.