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Tetra - Ember
SKU TC16
$4.95
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Price incl. GST (15%) $0.65
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Dunedin 105 Cumberland Street
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Tetra - Ember
Product Details
Ember Tetra: The Tiny Flame
The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae) is a captivating, diminutive freshwater fish originating from the Araguaia River basin in Brazil. Named for its intense, fiery orange to reddish coloration, this tiny tetra truly lives up to its name, resembling a flickering ember in the aquarium. Its small size, peaceful nature, and schooling behavior make it an ideal inhabitant for planted nano tanks and peaceful community setups.
Unlike some other tetras, the Ember Tetra doesn't have bold stripes or dramatic finnage. Instead, its beauty lies in its uniform, radiant body color that glows against a planted backdrop. They are active yet delicate swimmers, and their schooling behavior is particularly pronounced, creating a dynamic "cloud" of orange as they move together through the middle and lower water columns of the aquarium.
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Ember Tetras are generally easy to care for, making them suitable for beginners who are comfortable with maintaining stable water parameters. They are quite hardy for their size, but sensitive to drastic water quality fluctuations and thrive best in well-established, mature aquariums.
Temperament: Extremely Peaceful Schooler
Ember Tetras are exceptionally peaceful and are quintessential schooling fish. They are very timid when kept in insufficient numbers. To ensure their comfort, reduce stress, and observe their most natural behaviors and vibrant coloration, it is highly recommended to keep them in large groups of at least 8-10 individuals, with schools of 15 or more being even more impressive and beneficial for their well-being.
They are ideal for most peaceful community aquariums and can be safely housed with other very small, peaceful, and non-aggressive fish. Good tank mates include:
- Other tiny Tetras (e.g., Chili Rasboras, Boraras species)
- Pygmy Corydoras Catfish
- Otocinclus Catfish
- Small, peaceful Dario (e.g., Scarlet Badis, if careful with feeding)
- Dwarf Gouramis (e.g., Sparkling Gouramis, Honey Gouramis)
Avoid housing them with any fish that could view them as food (even slightly larger, typically peaceful fish like adult Angelfish or larger Barbs). Also, avoid highly active or boisterous fish that could stress them, or fin-nipping species.
Diet: Omnivore / Micropredator
Ember Tetras are omnivores with a preference for very small live foods in their natural habitat. Due to their incredibly small mouths, food must be appropriately sized.
- Staple: High-quality flake food or micro-pellets specifically designed for very small tropical fish. Grind larger flakes into a fine powder if necessary.
- Supplement: Regularly offer live or frozen foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, micro worms, and finely chopped bloodworms. These are vital for boosting their health, vibrant colors, and providing essential protein.
- Biofilm: They will also graze on biofilm and microalgae in the tank.
Feed very small amounts 1-2 times daily. Their tiny size means overfeeding is a common mistake that can quickly foul the water. Ensure all food is consumed within a few minutes.
Water Conditions:
- Temperature: 23-28°C (73-82°F). They are tropical fish and require stable, warm water.
- pH: 5.5–7.0 (preferring soft, acidic water, typical of their blackwater origins).
- Water Hardness: 2-10 dGH (very soft to moderately soft water). Maintaining softer water helps prevent stress and disease.
- Filtration: Gentle filtration is paramount. They prefer calm water with minimal currents. Sponge filters, small internal filters with adjustable flow, or hang-on-back filters with baffled outputs are good choices.
- Water Changes: Regular partial water changes (20-25% weekly) are critical to remove nitrates and maintain pristine, stable water parameters. Consider using RO (reverse osmosis) water or distilled water remineralized to appropriate parameters if your tap water is very hard or alkaline.
Max Size: Up to 2.5 cm (1 inch)
Ember Tetras are truly one of the smallest tetra species, rarely exceeding 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) in length. Their incredibly small size makes them perfect for nano aquariums.
Minimum Tank Size: 38 Litres (approx. 10 US Gallons) for a school of 8-10+ individuals
Despite their minute size, their active schooling nature means they benefit from adequate horizontal swimming space. A 38-liter tank is a good minimum for a healthy school of 8-10+ individuals, allowing them to form a cohesive group. For larger schools, or if keeping them in a community with other tiny species, a 60-liter (15 US Gallons) or larger aquarium is ideal. The tank should be heavily planted, especially with fine-leaved plants and floating plants, to provide cover and a sense of security, which will encourage them to display their best colors. Dim lighting and a dark substrate can also help enhance their fiery glow.
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