Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Datasheet

General Description

The Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon Amandae) is a small freshwater fish belonging to the Characidae family. It is commonly known by various names like 'dwarf red' or 'fire' tetra. This species is part of the Characiformes classification order, which is a diverse group comprising nearly 2000 species across 19 families. Ember Tetras typically grow up to 2.0 cm in size and are known for their peaceful nature.

Aquarium Setup

Ember Tetras thrive in heavily-planted aquariums with a dark substrate. The inclusion of floating plants, driftwood branches, and dried leaf litter is recommended. These fish prefer a gentle filtration system and a water temperature ranging from 20-28°C. A pH level of 5.0-7.0 and a water hardness of 18-179 ppm are suitable for their habitat. A minimum tank size of 40 litres is advised for keeping a school of Ember Tetras (see table).

Behaviour

Ember Tetras are known for their peaceful demeanor. They do not do well with aggressive or significantly larger tank mates. These Tetras form schools and exhibit interesting behavior in groups of 8-10 or more. They can be kept with similarly-sized, peaceful fish like characids, small catfish, and hatchetfish. Ember Tetras make ideal dither fish for dwarf cichlids, as they tend to inhabit the middle to upper regions of the tank.

Feeding and Diet

In their natural habitat, Ember Tetras are micropredators that feed on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. When kept in an aquarium, they accept dried foods along with live and frozen fare such as Artemia nauplii and Moina. These Tetras should be offered a daily diet of small, suitable-sized meals to ensure their health and vitality.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Ember Tetras are egg-scattering free spawners, showing no parental care. They spawn often in ideal conditions, where small numbers of fry may appear without intervention. To maximize breeding success, a controlled breeding setup is recommended. Adult males exhibit more intense coloring, especially during spawning, while females have a visibly rounder body shape.

Habitat and Distribution

Ember Tetras are native to minor tributaries, backwaters, and oxbow lakes in the Araguaia drainage system of central and western Brazil. These habitats typically feature soft, weakly acidic water with a substrate covered in fallen leaves and branches. The specific type locality for Ember Tetras is the Rio das Mortes in Mato Grosso, Brazil.