Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon amandae

Family: Characidae • Origin: South America

Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae) are tiny jewels that glow orange-red in a planted tank. Named after the fiery coloration of healthy adults, they are one of the best nano fish available. Discovered in 1987 in the Araguaia River basin of Brazil, they have become a staple for planted nano tanks and shrimp-safe community setups. Despite their small size (under 1 inch), a school of 10+ creates a spectacular display of warm color that pops against green plants and dark substrates.

Min Tank

5 gal

Max Size

0.8"

Temperature

73-84°F

5.5-7

Lifespan

3 years

School Size

Swim Level

middle

Hardness

1-10 dGH

peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling

Care Tips

• Keep in schools of 8-12 for best coloring and natural behavior
• Ideal for planted nano tanks — 5 gallons minimum, 10 gallons recommended
• Provide fine-particle foods like crushed flakes, micro pellets, and baby brine shrimp
• Looks best against dark substrate (black sand or dark gravel intensifies their color)
• Completely shrimp-safe — will not bother cherry shrimp or neocaridina
• Prefers gentle filtration with low to moderate flow
• Thrives in soft, slightly acidic water but adapts to a range of conditions
• Add floating plants to diffuse light and reduce stress
• Color fades under bright lighting or when stressed — dim the tank for best display
• Avoid housing with large or boisterous fish that may outcompete them for food

Feeding: Crushed flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops. Their tiny mouths require appropriately sized foods. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily rather than one large feeding. They will also graze on biofilm and micro-organisms in a mature planted tank.

Compatibility Notes: Tiny and peaceful — only keep with other nano-sized, gentle species. Ideal companions include cherry shrimp, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras, and otocinclus. Avoid any fish large enough to eat them (anything over 3 inches) or fast-moving species that will outcompete them at feeding time.

Tank Setup & Water Parameters

Tank Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
Recommended Tank Size: 10 gallons
Swimming Level: middle
Minimum School Size: 8+ fish

Water Parameters

Temperature: 73–84°F
pH Range: 5.5–7
Hardness (dGH): 1–10
Water Type: freshwater

Behavior & Temperament

Temperament: peaceful
Aggression Level: 1/5
Schooling: Yes
Territorial: No

Fin Nipper: No
Predatory: No
Diet Type: omnivore
Growth Rate: slow

Tiny and peaceful — only keep with other nano-sized, gentle species. Ideal companions include cherry shrimp, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras, and otocinclus. Avoid any fish large enough to eat them (anything over 3 inches) or fast-moving species that will outcompete them at feeding time.