Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae · family Characidae
Also: Amanda's Tetra, Fire Tetra, Hyphessobrycon amandae
Parameters
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Hardness
- 4–10 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 35 L
- Maximum size
- up to 2 cm
- Group size
- min 8, ideal 15
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
Description
The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is one of the most striking nano schooling fish in modern aquascaping. Reaching just 2 cm in length, a tight school of translucent glowing copper-red fish creates breathtaking visual contrast against lush emerald mosses and carpeting plants while adding minimal bioload.
Care
Keep in a school of at least 8–10 (ideally 12–20) fish in tanks of 35+ liters with dark substrate, dense stem plants, and floating plants to diffuse glare. Over light sand or alkaline water, Ember Tetras wash out to pale yellow; their deepest fiery orange-red coloration shines in soft, slightly acidic water (pH 6.0–6.8, GH 4–8 °dGH, 24–26 °C) enriched with gentle Catappa leaf tannins.
Feeding
Omnivorous micro-feeder with a tiny upturned mouth: feed nano micro-pellets (0.3–0.6 mm), crushed color-enhancing flakes rich in astaxanthin and spirulina, baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and cyclops.
Breeding
Egg-scatterer that spawns at dawn among dense Java moss in soft, acidic water (pH 5.8–6.5, GH < 6). Because adults eat exposed eggs, dedicated breeding uses a mesh-bottom spawning tank; fry become free-swimming in 4–5 days and take infusoria first.
Compatibility
- Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Ember Tetras occupy the mid-water while Pygmy Corys patrol the bottom in total harmony.
Ideal - Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
One of the safest schooling fish for planted shrimp tanks with Cherry and Amano shrimp.
Good
FAQ
- Why do my Ember Tetras look pale and washed out?
- Pale coloration is caused by stress from a small group (< 6 fish), bright white substrate, lack of plant cover, or hard alkaline water (pH > 7.5). Increase school size to 10+, use dark aquasoil, and feed astaxanthin-rich micro-pellets.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Hyphessobrycon amandae · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Hyphessobrycon amandae · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22