Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
A tiny fiery-orange tetra for nano and planted tanks; very peaceful and schools in the middle and upper water.
Key facts
- Body length
- 0.8 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 8+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Micro pellets, crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp
- Origin
- Rio das Mortes, Araguaia basin, Brazil
- Hardier than87%
- Bigger than2%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Ember tetra tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- Peacock cichlidMalawi butterfly peacock attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- Rainbow sharkRainbow shark attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Ember tetra.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Ember tetra: prey body depth 0.4 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for ember tetras: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 2 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 0.20 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.33 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 8+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- middle, top
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Hyphessobrycon amandae · FishBase: Hyphessobrycon amandae
Care notes
Ember tetras come from tributaries of the Rio das Mortes in the Araguaia basin. They are under an inch long, glow orange over green plants, and usually leave fry alone.
Keep eight to ten in a 10 gallon tank or larger and feed small foods. They are poor competitors at feeding time, so pair them with other gentle fish; adult shrimp are safe.
Questions
What size tank does a ember tetra need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 0.8 inches without fins.
How many ember tetras should be kept together?
Keep at least 8, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do ember tetras need?
75–82 °F, pH 5–7 and 1–10 dGH. Ember tetras come from Rio das Mortes, Araguaia basin, Brazil.
How long do ember tetras live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with ember tetras?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.