Ember Tetra Care: A Beginner’s Guide — Not the best fish for Iwagumi Style Aquascapes.

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IndoorEcosystem
4 min readJan 4, 2023

Ember tetras (Hyphessobrycon Amanda) are small, colourful fish that are native to the rivers and streams of South America. These little guys are only about one to two inches long, but they pack a lot of personality into their tiny bodies!

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These fish are known for their vibrant orange and red colouring, which gives them their common name. They are also called fire tetras or red-line tetras, due to the bright red stripe that runs along the length of their bodies.

In the wild, ember tetras live in schools and can often be found swimming near the surface of the water, where they feed on small insects and other tiny invertebrates. They are a popular choice for aquarists due to their small size and peaceful nature, and can be kept in a community tank with other small fish species.

Ember tetras are not particularly demanding when it comes to care, but they do prefer a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. They are also sensitive to water quality, so it’s important to keep their tank clean and well-maintained.

Overall, ember tetras are a fun and colourful addition to any freshwater aquarium. Their bright colouration and playful personality make them a joy to watch, and they are a great choice for both beginner and experienced fish keepers alike.

Physical Description

Ember tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae) are small fish, typically only reaching lengths of one to two inches. They are known for their vibrant orange and red colouring, which gives them their common name. They are also called fire tetras or red-line tetras, due to the bright red stripe that runs along the length of their bodies.

Habitat and Distribution

Ember tetras are native to the rivers and streams of South America. In the wild, they can be found swimming near the surface of the water in schools.

Care Requirements

Ember tetras are a popular choice for aquarists due to their small size and peaceful nature. They can be kept in a community tank with other small fish species, but they do prefer a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding spots. Ember tetras are sensitive to water quality, so it’s important to keep their tank clean and well-maintained. A 5-gallon (25l) tank is the smallest sized tank you want to keep them in. Also, they require swimming space so no vertical tanks.

Diet

In the wild, ember tetras feed on small insects and other tiny invertebrates. In an aquarium setting, they can be fed a variety of small, live or frozen foods.

Personality and Behavior

Ember tetras are known for their playful personality and can be a joy to watch in a tank. They are a peaceful species and do well in a community setting with other small, non-aggressive fish.

Commonly missed information Ember Tetras in Iwagumi Style Aquascapes.

One important aspect of Ember tetra care that is often overlooked is the need for cover from above. Ember tetras do not like bright lights and can become stressed and anxious without it. In an environment without sufficient cover, Ember tetras may not display their full range of behaviours and personalities.

To create a comfortable and stress-free environment for your Ember tetras, it’s important to include plenty of cover in their tank. This can be in the form of floating plants or other structures that provide shade from above. Avoid using Ember tetras in Iwagumi-style aquascapes, as these environments often do not provide enough cover for the fish to feel secure. In fact, it is generally not ideal to use Ember tetras in an Iwagumi-style setup long-term, as they need plenty of cover to feel comfortable and display their true character.

By providing your Ember tetras with plenty of cover and a comfortable environment, you will be able to fully enjoy their playful and vibrant personalities.

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