Last updated on October 26th, 2023 at 02:18 am
The Hemigrammus bleheri, also known as the Firehead Tetra or common rummy nose tetra, is a species of fish from the aquarium hobby. They are native to Southern America and typically found around Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina in blackwater streams.
One of the best fish you can keep is a firehead tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri). The firehead tetra (Hemigrammus Bleheri) has been an extremely popular and well-loved freshwater fish for many decades. Although the fish is native to the blackwater rivers of Brazil, today it can be found in pet stores around the world.
The beautiful red and orange colors of the fish are what makes it so sought after by hobbyists. However, they are not simply dyed; rather they are a natural part of its genetic makeup.
Hemigrammus bleheri is a tetra from the Characidae family. They are native to South America, specifically the Paraguay River basin in Brazil and Argentina. They have been introduced to countries all over the world including the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
This species of fish was named after German naturalist Adolph P. Bleher by German naturalist Marcus Elieser Bloch. Since it is an invasive species within many areas, some say that the fish are the new kids on the block when it comes to pets. They’re quiet, don’t smell bad, and require very little maintenance.
What is hemigrammus bleheri?
Hemigrammus bleheri is a tropical freshwater fish of the Cichlidae family. It is endemic to the Mata River basin, which is a tributary of the Rio Negro in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
It was named after German aquarist Peter Bleher, who first collected it in 1968, and also after Brazilian ichthyologist Luiz Rittmeyer Bleher (1912-1990), who described the species scientifically in 1979. The fish are popular with aquarists and are relatively easy to breed.
Origin and description
Hemigrammus bleheri is a species of small fish in the genus Hemigrammus. It is native to the Amazon River basin in South America, where it occurs in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
It is frequently kept in aquariums but is not commonly found in pet stores. Its tank mates include other Hemigrammus, Tetras, and small catfish.
Hemigrammus bleheri is a popular addition to freshwater aquariums. This fish has a striking appearance which makes it desirable for hobbyists. It can be identified by its horizontal black bars and yellow specks.
Species profile
Hemigrammus bleheri is a species of freshwater fish from the family of characins. It is commonly found in slow-moving tributary streams of larger rivers.
The males are 6 centimeters long and the females are almost 9 centimeters long. They have a silver body color with black vertical bands. Like most other species of Hemigrammus, they have an orange spot on their belly and a white belly band.
The species is currently only found in the lower Rio São Francisco basin.
The second most endangered fish in the world, according to the IUCN red list, this species is threatened by habitat loss and introduced species.
Common name
The common name of the hemigrammus bleheri is red-nose tetra
The habitat of hemigrammus bleheri
Hemigrammus bleheri is a freshwater fish from the Amazon basin. The fish lives in the tributaries of the lower Rio Negro and Xingu Rivers.
They are up to 7 centimeters long and have a slender body, a small mouth with protruding lips, and a high dorsal fin. Live specimens are usually yellow or orange with brownish edges, but they can exhibit other color patterns depending on their environment.
Hemigrammus bleheri is an omnivorous forager, although some individuals have been observed hunting down insect larvae and even baby birds. These fish are very active and are very fast swimmers. They have been known to jump out of the water in an attempt to catch insects flying above the surface. They will also jump up to feed on floating foods such as flake food.
The adult male will not be as brightly colored as the female. They will also have a longer dorsal fin and larger body size. Males are generally more aggressive than females of the same species, especially during spawning.
Hemigrammus bleheri behavior
Hemigrammus bleheri is considered an aggressive species and will often fight with other smaller hemigrammus bleheri species and kill them. The reason these fish are fighting is thought to be part of the mating process. This can be seen in many of the tank behaviors.
Hemigrammus bleheri is a fish species from South America. It is a hemic_perciformes. It is a diurnal fish that is active by day when it travels near the surface of the water in search of insect larvae and other small invertebrate prey, which it feeds upon. Hemigrammus bleheri is sometimes found in the aquarium trade, although they are moderately hard to find.
Distribution
The Hemigrammus Bleheri is a species of freshwater fish in the Alestidae family. It is native to northern Brazil, and it occurs in the Cuiabá River basin and in some of its tributaries.
The Habitat and distribution of hemigrammus bleheri are mostly found in Northern Brazil, specifically in Paraíba do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, and Southern Bahia. In Paraíba do Sul, the fish has been recorded in the basins of São Francisco River and Piranhas River. The most likely scenario for the introduction of this species in the basins of the São Francisco River is through an illegal aquarium trade.
The most common threat to hemigrammus bleheri is habitat destruction and degradation. In Paraíba do Sul, fish populations have been decreasing due to the introduction of exotic species such as African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
Size and weight
Hemigrammus bleheri is called a silver neon tetra. It is a fish that has an average size of 2.4 in (6 cm) and an average weight of 0.07 oz (2.3 g).
Tank size
The correct tank size for a hemigrammus bleheri is 10 gallons.
This fish does best in a heavily planted tank and should be the only bottom dweller. It has a mild temperament and will not bother other people’s fish, but it is territorial and will become stressed if there are aggressive or overly boisterous fish in the tank. In fact, they are happiest when kept with other hemigrammus bleheri of the opposite sex.
They should not be kept with other fish that share their tank space in nature, such as characins, cichlids, and catfish.
They are not a good choice for the community tank. They can be kept with other Hemigrammus species that have different coloration, but they will not tolerate any conspecifics.
Sexual differences
The male is smaller than the female and has a more pointed dorsal fin. The female is larger and rounder than the male.
Tank mates
The easiest way to maintain hemigrammus bleheri is to keep them with other types of tetras (pimelodids are also suitable), danios, and catfish. If you want your fish to be happier, try to get one or two more of the same type of fish.
Breeding/Reproduction
This species breeds in caves and crevices in rocky areas. They are monogamous, and both parents care for the young. The female is responsible for carrying the eggs, which are laid in a hole dug by the male.
The male then fertilizes the egg and takes over guarding the eggs and the young, after the egg has hatched. The chicks are fed by both parents, but they only have a few weeks to grow before they must leave the nest and continue living on their own.
Life cycle
The life cycle of Hemigrammus bleheri is quite short and only takes about six weeks from hatching to adulthood. From the time they hatch, their growth is rapid. They are sexually mature by one month of age but will reach full size at about two months.
Hemigrammus bleheri is a very peaceful fish and can be kept in groups of up to five or six without any problems. They are best kept in small schools of at least three or four individuals, but it is not uncommon to see them kept in groups of ten or more.
The aquarium should be well-planted with a sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places among rocks, bogwood, and plants. Floating plants are also recommended as they will provide additional cover.
Are hemigrammus bleheri aggressive or peaceful?
They are peaceful and can be kept in a community tank with other peaceful fish
Hemigrammus bleheri care
What do hemigrammus bleheri eat
The natural diet of these fish consists of small invertebrates, algae, and other organic matter. In the aquarium, they should be offered a varied diet consisting of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia, glassworm, grindal worm, mosquito larvae, etc. It is also important to vary the diet with dried foods such as flake and granules.
Essential water conditions
- Temperature: 20 – 26 °C
- pH: 6.0 – 7.5
- Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm
How long do rummy nose tetras live?
The life expectancy of a rummy nose tetra (Hemigrammus bleheri) is about 5 to 8 years.
Parasites and disease
Two common diseases that affect Rummy Nose Tetras are Ich and Dropsy. Ich is a parasitic infection, which appears as white spots all over a fish’s body during times of stress.
Ich is a parasite that can be treated by ensuring the tank water is clean. Dropsy causes the fish’s scales to protrude and become discolored, which makes the fish appear bloated.