Ember tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)

A Living Ember Glowing in Your Aquarium

The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is one of the most beloved nano fish in the hobby — and for good reason. Its warm, fiery orange-red colouration burns brilliantly against green plants and dark substrates, creating a stunning visual contrast that few fish can match at this size. Native to the Araguaia River basin in Brazil, this tiny schooling fish is peaceful, hardy, and endlessly rewarding to keep.

A school of Ember Tetras weaving through a planted aquascape is one of the most iconic sights in the freshwater hobby.

Overview

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22 – 28°C (71.6 – 82.4°F)
• pH: 6.5 – 7.2
• General Hardness (GH): 3 – 10 dGH
• Carbonate Hardness (KH): 1 – 2
• TDS: 100 – 300 ppm

Tank Setup

• Tank Size: 40 L (10 gallons) minimum for a proper school
• Schooling: Best kept in groups of 10 or more — larger schools display more natural behaviour and bolder colouration
• Plants & Decor: Densely planted tanks with floating plants and shaded areas help them feel secure and display their best colours; dark substrate enhances their fiery orange hue
• Filtration: Gentle flow; avoid strong currents given their small size

Diet & Feeding

• Staple: High-quality micro pellets or crushed flake food
• Treats: Baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and micro worms to enhance colouration

Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily. As micropredators, they benefit greatly from regular live or frozen food supplementation.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

• Other small, peaceful nano fish and rasboras
• Pygmy corydoras and Otocinclus
• Dwarf shrimp — safe with adult shrimp, but may prey on shrimplets without sufficient plant cover
• Dwarf gouramis and sparkling gouramis

Avoid larger or boisterous tankmates. Their tiny size makes them vulnerable to fin-nipping and predation.

The Ember Tetra is a timeless nano fish that brings warmth, movement, and a splash of fire to any planted aquarium. Easy to keep, beautiful to watch, and a perfect choice for aquascapers of all experience levels.