Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
The quintessential nano tetra: a tiny orange-red jewel of just 2 cm that glows like a living ember in the tank — hence the name. Native to Brazil's Araguaia River basin, it has become one of the undisputed stars of nano fishkeeping for its intense coloration, peaceful temperament and adaptability. In schools of 10–20 in densely planted tanks with dark substrate and dim lighting, the effect is competition-grade. Coloration improves with varied diet and optimal conditions. Longevity 2–4 years.
Water Temperature
22 - 28 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Middle
Adult size
2 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 40 L
Minimum group
>= 8
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
25 - 200 ppm
Conductivity
39 - 313 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Araguaia river basin (Brazil). Tiny streams and very slow-flowing lowland lakes, loaded with branches, leaf carpets, floating vegetation and amber waters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae). Among the smallest aquarium fish in the world (Nano fish). Classic tetra profile, but almost never exceeds 2 cm (0.8 inches) in length as an adult.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, peaceful and confident if kept in a large group (minimum 10). Unlike other micro-fish, the Amandae is not a tireless swimmer: it floats motionless for a long time in mid-tank, observing the environment.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Varies from a deep pumpkin-orange to a translucent flame red all over the body. Females are pale (sometimes golden-gray) with a distinctly round belly, males are tiny, thin and fiery.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: The star of the "NanoCube". Perfect in 30-40 liter (8-10 gallon) tanks. Recreate miniature jungles with mosses (Java Moss), grassy carpets, oak leaves and intricate twigs. Calm water (very weak flow).
Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator. Has an infinitesimal mouth; flake feed must be ground to powder between the fingers. Loves freshly hatched brine shrimp nauplii and frozen cyclops.
Water Quality: Tolerates neutral pH but the colors of these tetras literally explode in fiery red only in soft, peaty and moderately acidic waters (pH 6.0). Regular soft water changes are essential.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: It is the perfect companion for Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp (too small to hunt the young). Exceptional with Corydoras pygmaeus, Boraras brigittae or small Gouramis.
Aquarium Breeding: Often happens spontaneously in Dutch (heavily planted) aquariums. They release very few tiny eggs (Egg scatterer). Parents eat the eggs, but dense patches of moss allow some fry to survive.
Risks and Diseases: Victim of its size. Must never be placed in community tanks with Angelfish or fish larger than 6-7 cm (2.5 inches), as it would be perceived exclusively as a snack (live food).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Araguaia river basin (Brazil). Tiny streams and very slow-flowing lowland lakes, loaded with branches, leaf carpets, floating vegetation and amber waters.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- This is a highly peaceful and somewhat shy species that thrives in a calm environment. They are a schooling fish that relies on the presence of conspecifics to feel safe and exhibit their best behavior. When kept in sufficiently large groups, they are active and inquisitive without ever bothering tank mates.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- These are omnivorous micro-predators in the wild, feeding on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. In the aquarium, they readily accept crushed high-quality flake foods and micro-pellets. Supplementing their diet with live or frozen foods like Daphnia will enhance their coloration.
- Life expectancy
- 2-4 years
- Under optimal aquarium care, the average lifespan of the Ember Tetra ranges between 2 and 4 years. This small characin is sensitive to sudden changes in water parameters and nitrate accumulation, making consistent maintenance crucial. A proper thermal regime and high-quality nutrition will greatly assist in helping individual specimens reach their maximum age.
- Adult size
- 2 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 2 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 2.03 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Hyphessobrycon amandae (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- School
- Maintaining a proper sex ratio is less critical for this species compared to some others, as they are a schooling fish. Keeping them in groups of at least eight to ten individuals ensures natural behavior and reduces stress. Having a mix of males and females can help diffuse any minor squabbles among displaying males.
- Feeding frequency
- 2-3 times daily
- These active fish benefit from multiple small feedings throughout the day rather than one large meal. Feeding them two to three times daily with amounts they can consume in under two minutes is ideal. This schedule helps prevent bloating and keeps water parameters stable by reducing uneaten food.
- Bioload
- Low
- This species produces a very minimal bioload due to its small physical size. It is highly suitable for smaller aquariums or heavily planted setups. However, standard filtration and regular water changes remain essential.
- Flow
- Weak
- Originating from slow-moving tributaries and forested pools, they prefer gentle to moderate water currents. High flow environments can quickly exhaust these fish and cause them significant stress. A sponge filter or a baffled hang-on-back filter provides the perfect amount of water movement.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are egg scatterers that do not provide any parental care to their offspring after spawning. To encourage breeding, a separate tank with soft, slightly acidic water and fine-leaved plants is required. Once eggs are laid and fertilized, the adult fish must be removed promptly to prevent them from eating the eggs.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and does well in community tanks with other small, non-aggressive fish. They should never be kept with large or boisterous species that might view them as food. Ideal tank mates include small rasboras, Corydoras catfish, and peaceful dwarf cichlids.
- Tank level
- Middle
- They typically inhabit the middle to lower regions of the water column in an aquarium setup. They appreciate tanks with plenty of dense vegetation and hiding spots where they can retreat if they feel threatened. Providing floating plants can also help diffuse lighting, making them feel more secure.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.3 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01202, b = 3.09
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
