Ember Tetra care guide
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) — minimum tank 20 L, temperature 23-29 °C, pH 5.5-7. Peaceful middle-water species.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a tiny characid described in 1987, distinguished by a warm orange-red body that intensifies under good water conditions. Adults rarely exceed 2 cm, making it one of the smallest tetras in the hobby and well suited to densely planted nano aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Characidae
- Genus: Hyphessobrycon
- Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon amandae
- Common synonyms: Fire Tetra
Habitat
Endemic to the Araguaia River basin in central Brazil. It is found in shaded, slow-moving streams and floodplain pools with leaf litter, dense aquatic vegetation and soft, slightly acidic water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 20 L (5.3 US gal)
- Adult size: 1.5-2 cm
- Temperature: 23-29 °C (73-84 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
- School size: ≥8 individuals
Diet
A micropredator that consumes small invertebrates, zooplankton and plant fragments in the wild. In aquaria accept micro-pellets, crushed flake, small frozen and live foods such as cyclops, daphnia and microworms. Offer several small feeds per day given the species' tiny mouth.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling species best displayed in groups of eight or more. Suitable companions include Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio, small Corydoras, Otocinclus and dwarf shrimp. Avoid keeping with much larger or boisterous tank mates that may outcompete it for food or trigger persistent hiding.
Breeding
Adults scatter small batches of adhesive eggs among fine-leaved plants or mosses. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours; fry are tiny and need infusoria for the first days before progressing to microworms and brine shrimp nauplii. Remove the adults after spawning as they will consume the eggs.
Breeding Ember Tetra
Overview
Hyphessobrycon amandae is described by Seriously Fish as an egg-scattering free spawner that exhibits no parental care; adults will consume the eggs if they can reach them. In a mature, well-planted aquarium small numbers of fry may appear naturally without intervention.
Sexing
Males display more intense coloration, especially during spawning, while females have noticeably rounder bodies.
Conditioning the Breeders
The adult group can be conditioned together in their main tank before being transferred to a dedicated breeding setup.
Breeding Setup
- Separate, dimly-lit tank with mature water and an air-powered sponge filter or air stone
- A mesh base, plastic grass matting, glass marbles, fine-leaved plants (Taxiphyllum) or spawning mops so eggs fall away from the adults
- Water pH slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature toward the upper end of the species range (26-28 C)
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Introduce one pair, or one to two males with several females, and leave them for 2-3 days before removing them. The first fry appear shortly after the adults are taken out.
Egg & Fry Care
Because there is no parental care, remove the adults to protect the eggs. The first food should be Paramecium or a proprietary dry food in the 5-50 micron grade, progressing to Artemia nauplii and microworm as the fry grow.
Common Challenges
The fry are very small and need infusoria-sized first foods, which is the main hurdle. Wikipedia notes that heavily planted aquariums offer some protection for the fry, improving survival when fish are left to spawn in the display tank.