Ember Tetra – Hyphessobrycon amandae – 2 cm

Hyphessobrycon amandae – Ember Tetra

The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a small freshwater fish native to South America. It is particularly appreciated in the aquarium hobby for its tiny size and beautiful orange to reddish-orange colouration.

In a planted aquarium and when kept in sufficient numbers, a shoal of Ember Tetras creates a particularly attractive display, especially against darker vegetation and décor.

The specimens offered here are approximately 2 cm.

Adult Size

Hyphessobrycon amandae remains a very small fish, generally reaching approximately 2 to 2.5 cm as an adult.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 22 to 28 °C
pH: 6 to 7.5
Hardness: soft to moderately hard water
Nitrite: 0 mg/L

Nitrite should remain undetectable. Clean, stable and properly filtered water is recommended.

What Size Aquarium for Ember Tetras?

Despite its very small size, the Ember Tetra is a social fish that needs sufficient space to swim as a shoal. An aquarium approximately 40 cm long and 30 litres provides a minimum basis, although a larger aquarium allows a bigger group to be kept under better conditions.

Plenty of vegetation, possibly including floating plants, provides sheltered areas. Some open swimming space should also be retained.

Behaviour and Shoaling

The Ember Tetra is a peaceful and social shoaling species. It should ideally be kept in a group of at least 10 individuals. A larger shoal is even better when aquarium size allows.

Group living encourages natural behaviour and also enhances the visual effect created by the species' characteristic orange colouration.

Ember Tetras can live alongside other small, peaceful species with compatible aquarium requirements.

Feeding

In the wild, Hyphessobrycon amandae feeds on small invertebrates, larvae and other tiny organisms.

In the aquarium, it accepts micro-pellets and finely crushed flakes. Small frozen or live foods, such as Artemia nauplii or suitably sized Daphnia, can also be offered as part of a varied diet.

Food should always be appropriately sized for its very small mouth.

Breeding

The Ember Tetra is an egg-laying species. It scatters its eggs amongst fine vegetation and provides no parental care.

As adults may eat both eggs and newly hatched fry, controlled breeding generally requires the eggs and young fish to be protected.

Origin

Hyphessobrycon amandae originates from South America, specifically Brazil in the Araguaia River basin.

Lifespan

Under suitable aquarium conditions, the Ember Tetra can live for approximately 3 to 5 years.

Never Release Aquarium Fish into the Wild

Hyphessobrycon amandae must never be released into a river, pond, lake or any other natural environment.