Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) Tiny, peaceful and glowing with warm orange colour, the Ember Tetra is one of the best small schooling fish for planted and nano aquariums. Their translucent amber-orange bodies become especially vibrant when kept in a healthy school against lush green plants and darker substrates, creating a beautiful flicker of colour throughout the aquarium. Quick Facts Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon amandae Common name: Ember Tetra Current size: Approximately 1.5–2 cm Adult size: Approximately 2–2.5 cm Tank size: 30L+ recommended Difficulty: 🟢 Easy Temperament: Very peaceful Best kept: Schools of 8 or more (10–20+ looks spectacular) Is this for you? ✔️ Perfect if: You want a genuinely small schooling fish. You have a planted or nano aquarium. You keep peaceful dwarf fish, shrimp or dwarf cichlids. You want warm orange colour without adding a large fish. ❌ Avoid if: You keep large or predatory fish. You want to keep only one or two individuals. Your aquarium has strong, turbulent water flow. Your tank mates are aggressive or highly boisterous. Why choose Ember Tetras? Ember Tetras may be tiny, but a healthy school creates an impressive display. Their translucent orange to fiery amber colour contrasts beautifully against green aquatic plants, dark substrates and natural driftwood. Unlike larger and more energetic tetras, Embers have a gentle temperament that makes them particularly useful in smaller community aquariums. Once comfortable, they form loose schools and explore the middle levels of the aquarium without constantly disturbing more timid inhabitants. Their small adult size also makes them an excellent companion for dwarf cichlids such as Apistogramma, where they can provide movement in the upper and middle levels without dominating the aquarium. Benefits Beautiful fiery orange colouration Very small adult size Extremely peaceful temperament Excellent for planted and nano aquariums Beautiful schooling effect in larger groups Suitable for beginner aquarists Care made simple Temperature: 23–28°C pH: Approximately 5.5–7.5 Diet: Fine micro pellets, crushed quality flakes, baby brine shrimp, daphnia and appropriately sized frozen or live foods Water: Clean and stable with gentle to moderate filtration Substrate: Sand, fine gravel or planted aquarium substrate Setup: Dense planting around the sides and rear with open areas for schooling Floating plants and subdued areas can help shy fish settle more quickly. Because of their tiny mouths, make sure foods are appropriately sized. Pairs perfectly with Apistogramma species Chilli Rasboras Pygmy Corydoras Otocinclus Peaceful freshwater shrimp NTA Insight: Ember Tetras are a fish where numbers make a huge difference. Six may survive together, but a school of 10, 15 or even 20+ completely changes the visual impact and usually produces more confident, natural behaviour. Give them plants, darker surroundings and quality food and their initially subtle orange colour can develop into a beautiful fiery glow. FAQ How many Ember Tetras should I keep? We recommend at least eight, with groups of 10 or more preferred. Larger schools generally produce more confident behaviour and a much stronger visual effect. Are Ember Tetras suitable for nano aquariums? Yes. Their tiny adult size makes them an excellent choice for appropriately sized nano aquariums, provided there is enough swimming space for a proper school and water quality remains stable. Can Ember Tetras live with shrimp? They are one of the better tetra choices for shrimp aquariums. Adult shrimp are generally safe, although extremely small newborn shrimplets may still be eaten if discovered. Can they live with Bettas? They can sometimes make excellent companions for suitably tempered Bettas in adequately sized, well-planted aquariums. Individual Betta temperament should always be considered. What should I feed them? Because Ember Tetras have very small mouths, offer fine micro pellets, crushed flakes and small frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia. Why do my Ember Tetras look pale? Newly introduced or stressed Ember Tetras can temporarily appear pale. Stable water conditions, appropriate schooling numbers, plants, subdued areas and a varied diet usually help them develop stronger colour as they settle. How long do Ember Tetras live? With excellent care and stable water conditions, Ember Tetras commonly live for around 2–4 years. Can Ember Tetras breed in an aquarium? Yes. They are egg-scattering fish and may spawn among fine-leaved plants or moss. Adults may eat the eggs and fry, so a separate breeding setup provides a much better chance of successfully raising young.
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