What size tank does a Ember Tetra need?

Ember Tetra needs a minimum of 5 gallons, with 10 gallons recommended. They are middle swimmers. Keep in groups of 8+.

Is Ember Tetra good for beginners?

Ember Tetra is rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). Great for beginners.

What fish are compatible with Ember Tetra?

Ember Tetra is peaceful. Compatible tank mates include other peaceful fish with similar water parameters (pH 5.5-7, temp 73-84°F).

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

Is Ember Tetra Right for Your Tank?

Ember Tetra is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (1/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. At just 5 gallons minimum, they work well in nano tanks and smaller setups.

With a peaceful temperament, Ember Tetra makes a great community fish. They coexist well with other non-aggressive species of similar size. This is a schooling species — keep at least 8 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 3 years with proper care.

Common Mistakes with Ember Tetra

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Keeping fewer than 8 together

Ember Tetra is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 8 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.

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Relying on a heater without a thermometer

Ember Tetra needs 73–84°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.

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Putting them in a tank under 5 gallons

While 5 gallons is the minimum, nano tanks require more frequent water changes and leave less room for error. A slightly larger tank (10 gal) is much more forgiving.

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.