Description
Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
Overview
Ember Tetras, Hyphessobrycon amandae, are small, vibrant freshwater fish native to the slow-moving waters of the Araguaia River basin in Brazil. Known for their striking orange-red coloration, these tiny tetras are a favorite in the aquarium trade for their beauty and peaceful nature. They are ideal for nano tanks and community setups, thriving in schools and adding a splash of color to planted aquariums.
- Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon amandae
- Size: 0.8–1 inch (2–2.5 cm)
- Lifespan: 2–4 years (up to 5 with optimal care)
- Temperament: Peaceful, schooling
- Tank Level: Mid to upper water column
Care Requirements
Ember Tetras are hardy but require specific conditions to thrive:
Tank Size: Minimum 40 liters for a school of 6–10 fish. Larger tanks (60–75 liters) are better for stability and group dynamics.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 23–28°C
- pH: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH (soft water preferred)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- Substrate: Fine gravel or sand, ideally dark to enhance their vivid colors. Smooth substrates support planted tanks.
- Filtration: Gentle filtration (e.g., sponge filter or low-flow canister) to mimic their natural slow-moving waters.
- Lighting: Low to moderate; they thrive in dimly lit tanks with floating plants or shaded areas.
- Decor: Heavily planted tanks with species like Java moss, Amazon sword, or Anubias. Add driftwood and leaf litter to replicate their natural habitat.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: Perform 20–25% water changes weekly to maintain water quality. Use dechlorinated water matched to tank parameters.
- Tank Cleaning: Gently vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris. Avoid disturbing plants or decor.
- Equipment Checks: Regularly inspect filters, heaters, and thermometers to ensure stable conditions.
- Plant Maintenance: Trim plants as needed to prevent overgrowth and maintain open swimming spaces.
Diet
Ember Tetras are omnivorous with small mouths, requiring fine foods:
Staple Diet: High-quality micro-pellets or flakes (e.g., Fluval Bug Bites, TetraMin Tropical Flakes crushed finely).
Supplementary Foods:
- Live or frozen foods: Micro worms, baby brine shrimp, daphnia.
- Freeze-dried foods: Tubifex worms or brine shrimp.
- Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 2–3 times daily, ensuring food is consumed within 1–2 minutes to avoid overfeeding.
Note: They are not aggressive feeders, so ensure food reaches them in community tanks with faster fish.
Behavior and Compatibility
Behavior: Ember Tetras are peaceful and active, preferring to swim in schools of 6 or more. They display vibrant colors and schooling behavior when comfortable, often darting in the mid to upper tank levels. Stress (e.g., small groups or aggressive tankmates) can dull their colors.
Compatibility:
- Good Tankmates: Other small, peaceful fish like neon tetras, rasboras (e.g., chili rasbora), guppies, Corydoras (e.g., Corydoras sterbai), and dwarf shrimp (e.g., cherry shrimp). They pair well with other nano fish.
- Avoid: Large, aggressive, or predatory fish (e.g., angelfish, large cichlids) and fin-nippers (e.g., serpae tetras). Avoid housing with overly active fish that may outcompete them for food.
Social Needs: Keep in groups of 6–10 to prevent stress and encourage natural schooling. Larger schools enhance their confidence and coloration.
Reproduction
Ember Tetras are egg-scatterers and can breed in captivity with proper setup:
Breeding Setup:
- Tank: Use a 20-40 liters breeding tank with soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, 2–5 dGH) and temperature around 78–80°F.
- Conditions: Add fine-leaved plants (e.g., Java moss) or a spawning mop for egg deposition. Use dim lighting or a dark substrate.
- Group: A ratio of 1–2 males per female. Males are slimmer with brighter colors; females are rounder with a slightly duller hue.
Spawning Process:
Spawning is triggered by soft water, a slight temperature increase, and a diet rich in live foods. Females scatter 20–50 tiny eggs among plants or spawning mops, which males fertilize. Eggs hatch in 24–36 hours at 78°F.
Egg Care: Remove adults post-spawning to prevent egg consumption. Maintain high water quality and consider adding a fungicide (e.g., methylene blue) to prevent egg loss.
Fry Care: Feed fry infusoria or liquid fry food for the first week, transitioning to baby brine shrimp or powdered flakes. Perform small, frequent water changes to maintain water quality.
Challenges: Fry are tiny and sensitive to water changes. Breeding success may require multiple attempts and stable conditions.
Additional Tips
Observation: Monitor for stress signs (e.g., faded colors, hiding, or erratic swimming). Quarantine new fish to prevent disease spread.
Enrichment: Provide a varied environment with plants and open swimming areas to encourage natural behavior.
Health Concerns: Susceptible to common issues like ich or fin rot. Treat with aquarium-safe medications and address causes like poor water quality or overcrowding.
Color Enhancement: A varied diet and dark substrate can intensify their fiery coloration.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
