Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon amandae

Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)

The Ember Tetra is a tiny, peaceful freshwater shoaling fish loved for its glowing orange to deep ember-red colouration. Its small size, calm temperament and striking colour make it a fantastic choice for mature planted aquariums, nano aquariums and peaceful community setups. When kept in a proper group with subdued lighting, plants and stable water quality, a shoal of Ember Tetras creates a beautiful warm shimmer through the mid-water area.

Common Name:
Ember Tetra. Also commonly referred to as the Fire Tetra, Orange Ember Tetra or Ember Fish.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hyphessobrycon amandae

Maximum Size:
Around 2 cm in captivity, making it one of the smaller tetra species commonly kept in aquariums.

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Native to Brazil, especially the Araguaia River basin in central Brazil. In the wild, Ember Tetras are associated with slow-moving, heavily vegetated waters, including quiet tributaries, backwaters and marginal areas with plant cover, soft water and gentle flow.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–28°C
pH Range: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water, with softer slightly acidic water preferred

Temperament:
Very peaceful and social. Ember Tetras are best kept with other small, calm community fish and should not be housed with large, aggressive or fast-feeding species that may intimidate or outcompete them.

Diet:
Omnivorous micro-feeder. In nature, it feeds on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. In the aquarium it should be offered fine flake, micro pellets, powdered foods, crushed granules, frozen daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp and other suitably small foods.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical recommendation is at least 40 litres for a small group, with 60 litres or larger preferred for a more natural shoal and greater water stability.

Behaviour & Activity:
This is an active mid-water shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of at least 8, ideally 10 or more. Larger groups help reduce stress and encourage more natural behaviour. Ember Tetras look especially impressive in planted aquariums with darker substrate, floating plants, wood, leaf litter and open swimming space.

Aquarium Category:
Community Fish
This species is ideal for peaceful nano and small community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include small rasboras, peaceful tetras, dwarf Corydoras, Otocinclus, small pencilfish, gentle dwarf cichlids and dwarf shrimp in well-established aquariums. Avoid large fish, fin nippers, boisterous barbs, aggressive cichlids and any species large enough to eat them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature, stable aquarium with gentle filtration, clean water and plenty of plant cover. Ember Tetras are generally hardy once settled, but because of their tiny size they can be sensitive to unstable water quality and should not be added to brand-new aquariums. Their colour is usually strongest in planted tanks with a darker background, good diet and low-stress tank mates.

Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Common in trade, usually as captive-bred stock

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.