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Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Characidae
📍 Araguaia River, Brazil
Ember tetras are tiny, fiery orange fish ideal for nano planted tanks. They occupy the midwater and are completely peaceful, making them safe with shrimp and other small species. Their brilliant colour intensifies under warm lighting and dark substrate.
Care Guide
Diet
Ember tetras are omnivores requiring a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, micro worms, and daphnia. Powdered flake food can be offered occasionally. Feed small portions once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as their tiny mouths and stomachs require frequent small meals.
Behavior
Ember tetras are highly social, peaceful schooling fish that must be kept in groups of at least 8 individuals to display natural behavior and reduce stress. They are active mid-water swimmers that dart playfully through planted areas, displaying their brilliant orange coloration most vividly under warm lighting and against dark substrates. They are completely non-aggressive and safe with shrimp, other small fish, and invertebrates.
Breeding
Breeding ember tetras in captivity is moderately difficult and rarely occurs in community tanks. They require soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), warm temperatures (26–28°C), dense plants or spawning mops, and a separate breeding tank to prevent egg predation. Fry are extremely small and require infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week before accepting micro foods.
Tank Mates
Peaceful algae eater with identical water parameter needs; occupies bottom zone without competing
Peaceful invertebrate that thrives in same soft, acidic water; ember tetras ignore shrimp
Similar size, temperament, and water requirements; compatible schooling companion
Foreground plant that provides shelter and spawning substrate without competing for space
Low-light plant that anchors to hardscape; provides cover and won't be uprooted by active fish
Peaceful dwarf cichlid with overlapping water parameters; may occasionally chase but rarely harm tetras
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against objects
Raise temperature gradually to 28–29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin bases, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, reduce stocking density, treat with antibacterial medication if severe; ensure temperature stays 24–26°C
Neon Tetra Disease
Loss of coloration, curved spine, erratic swimming, lethargy, progressive wasting
No cure exists; isolate affected fish to prevent spread, maintain pristine water conditions, consider euthanasia if suffering; prevent through quarantine and stable parameters
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
Whitish film on body or mouth, torn fins, loss of appetite, rapid gill movement
Increase aeration, perform daily 50% water changes, treat with antibacterial medication; maintain temperature at 24–25°C and avoid stress
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, micro worms, powdered flake
- lifespan
- 2–4 years
- max size
- 2 cm (0.8 in)
- tank size
- 5 gallons minimum
- school size
- 8+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <15 ppm
- hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- temperature
- 73–84°F (23–29°C)