Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: Yes

General Description: The Ember Tetra, also referred to as the Amandae, Dwarf Red, or Fire Tetra, is a stunning, active fish that will bring a pop of color into the community aquarium. Found in the lower Amazon basin, Ember tetra prefer minor tributaries, small rivers, oxbows and flooded forests rather than the main river channels. Many Ember tetra available within the aquarium trade are commerically produced. While Ember tetra are relatively hardy, aquacultured specimens have an extra leg up on their wild counterparts being better acclimated to artificial environments. The Ember tetra has a vibrant red-orange body, with males exhibiting brighter coloration than females; females will also appear more round in shape. Less mature specimens, or ones that are not as comfortable in their environment, will appear more dull. Ember tetras are natural shoaling fish, exhibiting best coloration and behavior with at least 8 individuals but more are encouraged; too few of individuals will absolutely result in shyness. An adult Ember tetra can reach a size of approximately 0.5 to 1″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Ember tetra are omnivores. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable based and protein based flake foods, sinking micro pellet foods and bug bites are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, rotifers, and daphnia. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish.

Care Requirements: A minimum 5 gallon aquarium is ideal for a small group of Ember tetra. Size up accordingly to accomodate a larger shoal. Ember tetra are one of our listed “hardy fish” because they are able to endure the initial break-in cycle of a newly set-up aquarium. While their wild environments have gentle water flow, soft water and a more acidic pH, the Ember tetra is a very adaptable species to a wide range of water parameters, however water flow should not be overly powerful. In most instances, a sponge filter set-up is adequate for this species. An ideal environment for an Ember tetra is a dense live planted set-up with a dark substrate. Ember tetra are extremely peaceful, and will not thrive with overly competitive and active species. Given their adult size and temperament, choose tank mates accordingly. Some options include other timid, nano tetra and rasbora species, but Ember tetras can also coexist with bottom dwelling species, such as dwarf cichlids of the Apistogramma genus. Recommended water conditions, 74-82° F, KH 4-8, pH 6.0-7.5.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1/2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.