Breeding the brilliant rummynose tetra
Egg scatterer laying adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or through mesh in a dim tank with acidic water; adults eat the eggs and should be removed.
Step by step
Buy a group of 8-10 and let them pair up; condition for two weeks on live and frozen foods.
15-20 L bare tank with very soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5), spawning mops or java moss, a sponge filter and low light.
Soft acidic water, a slightly cooler water change and dim light with gentle morning sun.
100-250 eggs
Feed infusoria or green water for days 1-3, then newly hatched brine shrimp and microworms. Keep light low early on; grow out in a larger tank.
- Using hard tap water
- Keeping the tank bright
- Leaving adults with the eggs
Male or female
Mature females are noticeably rounder in the body than males.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- Use a separate small tank with a sponge filter and spawning mops, so the eggs aren't eaten.
- Takes some experience.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for egg scatterers
- 14 days beforeCondition the parents
Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.
- Day 0Spawning
Eggs are scattered over mops or fine plants, often at first light. Remove the parents straight after.
- Day 1Eggs hatch
Most eggs hatch in 1–2 days. Keep the tank dim and remove white (fungused) eggs.
- Day 4Free swimming, first food
Fry use up the yolk and start swimming. Feed infusoria or liquid fry food several times a day.
- Day 8Baby brine shrimp
Switch to newly hatched brine shrimp or microworms. Start small, daily water changes.
- Day 21Crushed flake
Add finely crushed flake. Sort fry by size so the big ones don't eat the small ones.
- Day 60Ready to move
Most small fish reach about 2 cm in 2–3 months and can join the main tank.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
Feed live or frozen food twice a day. Keep males and females apart if you can.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.