Description
The ember tetra is the aquarium's glowing ember: tiny, barely 2 cm, but with such an intense orange-red color that it literally lights up any planted layout. It's one of the best fish for shrimp tanks, Nature Aquarium setups, or small Amazonian biotopes. And one of the most successful choices for those who want color without demanding care requirements.
What surprises most about this species the first time you keep it is the color variation depending on light. Under bright light they may appear as a faint orange; under warm light with a dark background, the red intensifies until it's almost incandescent. The environment makes the fish.
Its minimal size — truly minimal — also means it coexists perfectly with dwarf shrimp like *Neocaridina* or Caridina without posing any real threat to adults.
Behavior
True schooling fish. With few individuals it becomes shy and stays hidden among plants. In groups of 15 or more it moves freely throughout the aquarium, the school takes shape, and the visual effect is extraordinary.
There's no marked hierarchy or conflict within the group. Males may make small fin displays in front of females during courtship, but without aggression. Absolutely peaceful with any other species of similar size.
Habitat
Hyphessobrycon amandae is native to the Araguaia River basin in central Brazil. It's a classic blackwater habitat: soft and acidic water, very little direct light due to the plant canopy, a bottom covered in leaf litter and decomposing wood, tannins dissolved in the water that give that characteristic brown color.
In nature it forms dense schools in low-current areas, often among submerged roots and leaf litter. This origin explains its preference for planted aquariums with dark substrate, subdued lighting, and some tannin — the same environment that makes its coloration shine at its maximum.
El pez Borrachito es una especie de cardumen, lo que significa que, de forma natural, vive y se desplaza en grupos numerosos y coordinados.
Se recomienda mantener un mínimo de 8 individuos para que se sientan cómodos y reducir su nivel de estrés.
Habitats
Peces que comparten habitat
Estos peces aparecen en uno o mas habitats asociados a esta ficha. No implica compatibilidad directa en acuario.
Details
🌊 Water parameters
🐠 Minimum tank size
Breeding
Egg-scatterer. Eggs are deposited randomly among fine-leaved plants (Java moss, Rotala) without parental care. Spontaneous reproduction in well-established aquariums is possible but fry survival in a community aquarium is very low — they're too small and vulnerable.
To breed intentionally:
- Breeding aquarium of 10–20 L with very soft, acidic water.
- Java moss as spawning substrate.
- Remove adults after spawning.
- Initial food: infusoria or micro-sized powder food.
Diet
Omnivore with a very small mouth. This is its only real dietary restriction: food size must be appropriate.
- Base: micropellets of maximum 0.3 mm or very finely crushed flakes.
- Protein: frozen or live brine shrimp nauplii, Cyclops, very small daphnia.
- Frequency: several times a day in minimal quantities.
Verify that food reaches the zone where they swim: if the filter sweeps it to the bottom before they reach it, adjust the flow.
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Plan your next aquarium
Is this fish right for you? Plan a suitable aquarium before setting it up.