The Rummynose Tetra is a perennial favourite tetra, and with its beautiful pattern, it is easy to see why. The rummy nose is a predominantly silver fish, with black fins, tipped by a bright red head, giving rise to the common name of "Flame Head Tetra," as well. In addition to the normal Rummy Nose Tetra, a number of forms have been bred, including the Brilliant Rummynose Tetra, which has brighter colours, the Golden Rummynose Tetra, which has a more gold than silver body, and the seldomly seen Albino Rummynose, which is a white/yellow fish with a red head. All of these are the same species, and can be kept similarly. Hemigrammus bleheri is often confused with Hemigrammus rhodostomus, the true Rummynose Tetra. H. bleheri has red extending past the operculum, while H. rhodostomus has only red on the head.
Regardless of species, the Rummynose Tetra is a relatively delicate fish that should be maintained in soft, acidic water. Warmer water also helps this fish. They make excellent additions to the discus aquarium, and are also a fantastic dither fish for small dwarf cichlids, such as Apistogramma.
These fish need to be maintained in a fair sized shoal, and should be kept at a minimum of six fishes.