Common name
Ember tetra
Scientific name
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Tetras and characins
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Rio das Mortes and adjoining upper Araguaia basin waters in Mato Grosso, Brazil
Care level
Beginner
Adult size
Up to about 2 cm standard length
Expected lifespan
3–8 years
Minimum housing
At least 45 L with a 60 cm swimming length for a mature group
Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
5.5–7.5
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Subdued to normal lighting with floating or tall plant cover
Placement / swimming zone
Middle water among fine plants

Identity and search names

This profile applies to Hyphessobrycon amandae. Confirm trade identity and preserve breeder, supplier or locality records where relevant.

Environment and housing

Densely planted mature aquarium with shaded margins, leaf litter or wood and open central swimming room

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Micropredator and omnivore taking tiny aquatic invertebrates, fine dry foods and small frozen or live foods

Feeding routine: Feed tiny portions once or twice daily and confirm food particle size is small enough to swallow

Breeding and reproduction

Plant-spawning egg scatterer; adults provide no care and may eat eggs and fry

Parental care: No parental care

System demands

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult stock and feeding load, with guarded intakes and a flow pattern the species can use without continual effort.

Aeration: Maintain strong gas exchange and stable dissolved oxygen, especially overnight, during warm weather, medication, crowding or any interruption to filtration.

Maintenance: Test ammonia and nitrite after changes or abnormal behaviour; remove waste from the occupied zone and perform regular water changes matched to temperature and mineral chemistry.

Detailed husbandry

Identity scope
This profile applies to Hyphessobrycon amandae. Confirm trade identity and preserve breeder, supplier or locality records where relevant.
Adult size and space
Up to about 2 cm standard length. At least 45 L with a 60 cm swimming length for a mature group. Plan around adult dimensions, activity, group size, aggression and waste production rather than sale size.
Social structure
Keep at least 10–12; larger groups are more visible, confident and behaviourally stable
Swimming zone
Primary zone: Mid water. Keep that zone usable for movement, feeding and refuge.
Feeding ecology
Micropredator and omnivore taking tiny aquatic invertebrates, fine dry foods and small frozen or live foods
Feeding plan
Feed tiny portions once or twice daily and confirm food particle size is small enough to swallow
Water stability
Maintain 22–28 °C; pH 5.5–7.5; hardness/minerals: Soft to moderately hard. Stable oxygenation and nitrogen-cycle control matter more than chasing one exact number.
Habitat structure
Densely planted mature aquarium with shaded margins, leaf litter or wood and open central swimming room
Compatibility plan
Use only peaceful nano fish and small invertebrates; avoid boisterous feeders and fish large enough to swallow them
Breeding plan
Plant-spawning egg scatterer; adults provide no care and may eat eggs and fry. Parental care: No parental care.
Quarantine
Quarantine new fish in a separate cycled aquarium with dedicated equipment. Match temperature and mineral chemistry gradually, confirm feeding and normal respiration, and never add transport water to the established aquarium.
Welfare checks
Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Their very small mouth and body size make starvation and predation easy to miss. A proper group and correctly sized food are not optional.
Biosecurity and release
Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.
Main risk
Their very small mouth and body size make starvation and predation easy to miss. A proper group and correctly sized food are not optional.
Adult Projected Load
Low per fish but moderate for a proper school once repeated small feeding, plant cover and the oxygen needs of the whole group are included.
Filtration
Use mature mechanical and biological filtration with protected intakes and enough turnover for the adult group while preserving species-appropriate current and refuge.
Aeration
Provide strong gas exchange and backup aeration; increase oxygen support before warm weather, heavy feeding, crowding, medication or filter interruption reduces the safety margin.
Maintenance
Remove uneaten food and bottom waste, clean prefilters before flow falls, test ammonia and nitrite after changes, and perform regular temperature- and chemistry-matched water changes.
Overridable Warnings
School size, predator exclusion, guarded intakes, stable warm water and equal feeding access cannot be overridden.

Welfare and risk

Main risk

Their very small mouth and body size make starvation and predation easy to miss. A proper group and correctly sized food are not optional.

Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Their very small mouth and body size make starvation and predation easy to miss. A proper group and correctly sized food are not optional.

Non-overridable warning

School size, predator exclusion, guarded intakes, stable warm water and equal feeding access cannot be overridden.

Sources

Source note

CURRENT