Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Family: Characidae
Embers are my go-to for nano tanks. At under an inch, they fit perfectly in 5-gallon setups where other tetras would be cramped. Their orange glow intensifies in planted tanks—they look like tiny flames swimming through green.
Water Parameters
Temperature
pH Level
Hardness (dGH)
Care Tips
Keep 8-10 minimum. They're timid in smaller groups and hide constantly. In my 5-gallon Iwagumi, a school of 10 Embers was the perfect population. They color up best with dark substrate.
Feeding
Tiny mouths need tiny food. I crush regular flakes between my fingers. Micro pellets and baby brine shrimp work great. They're surface feeders—food that sinks fast gets ignored.
Breeding
Relatively easy to breed. Egg scatterers that spawn among fine-leaved plants. Fry are tiny and need infusoria.
📚 Sources: Care parameters based on SeriouslyFish, FishBase, and Aquarium Co-Op. Personal observations from the author's 5+ years of fishkeeping experience.