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Ember Tetra

The Ember Tetra is a tiny characin whose fiery orange-red body glows beautifully against a planted aquarium's greenery. Calm and peaceful by nature, it gets along well with other small, gentle fish, making it a great community tank choice. Adults stay compact at around 1.5 to 2cm, so even a small aquarium can comfortably house a group. Because they can be somewhat shy, plenty of plants or driftwood for cover helps them feel secure, and keeping them in a school rather than alone encourages more natural, relaxed behavior. Rated as beginner-friendly, the Ember Tetra is a wonderful choice for anyone starting out with tropical fish.

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About Ember Tetra

Ember Tetra: a fiery orange-red mini characin. Adults reach 1.5-2cm with a 2-4 year lifespan, rated beginner-friendly and ideal for planted or nano tropical fish tanks.

7 things to know before welcoming a Ember Tetra

  1. 1Keep Them in a School

    Ember Tetras are a schooling species, so keeping a group of at least 6 to 8 lets them display their natural, relaxed behavior and beautiful synchronized swimming. Kept alone or in very small numbers, they tend to hide more.

  2. 2Great for Small Tanks

    Since adults stay around 1.5 to 2cm, a group can comfortably live in a compact tank of roughly 30cm. Even so, avoid sudden swings in water quality or temperature and keep conditions stable.

  3. 3Peaceful Tankmate

    Their calm, low-aggression temperament makes them a good match for other similarly small, peaceful fish. Because they are small enough to be eaten, avoid housing them with large or aggressive species.

  4. 4Provide Plenty of Cover

    Ember Tetras can be a bit shy, so plants or driftwood give them places to retreat and feel secure. Dense planting also makes their orange color stand out beautifully against the greenery.

  5. 5Choose Small-Sized Food

    Because of their tiny mouths, pick small pellet sizes for formulated feed and supplement with frozen food for balanced nutrition. Feed modest portions a few times a day, since leftover food can degrade water quality.

  6. 6Avoid Sudden Water Changes

    Ember Tetras are sensitive to abrupt shifts in water quality or temperature, so try to match conditions closely during water changes. A reliable filter also helps maintain the stable environment they need to stay healthy.

  7. 7Cycle the Tank First

    Set up and run the aquarium before bringing your fish home so beneficial bacteria have time to establish, reducing stress from environmental changes. With a lifespan of 2 to 4 years, a little preparation upfront helps ensure a long, healthy life together.

Frequently asked questions about Ember Tetra

Q.How many Ember Tetras should I keep together?
A.Since they are a schooling fish, it is best to keep a group of at least 6 to 8. Larger groups tend to display more natural, relaxed behavior.
Q.Is the Ember Tetra suitable for beginners?
A.Yes, it is generally rated as a beginner-friendly species. As long as you avoid sudden water quality changes and keep the environment stable, it is manageable even for first-time tropical fish keepers.
Q.What should I feed my Ember Tetra?
A.Since their mouths are small, small pellet-sized formulated feed works best as a staple. Adding frozen food to the mix helps round out their nutrition.
Q.Can Ember Tetras live with other fish?
A.Yes, their peaceful temperament makes them a good match for other similarly sized, calm fish. However, avoid pairing them with large or aggressive species, since their small size makes them vulnerable.
Q.How long do Ember Tetras typically live?
A.Their typical lifespan is around 2 to 4 years. Maintaining stable water quality and proper feeding helps them stay healthy throughout their life.

Useful tools for Ember Tetra care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness🍽️Feeding GuideCheck feeding frequency, portion sizes & supplements by species and growth stage🤝Compatibility CheckerCheck compatibility between two species on a 5-level scale📊Fish Compatibility MatrixCheck fish compatibility at a glance with our matrix chart🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alertsElectricity Cost SimulatorCalculate monthly and annual electricity costs for care equipment with presets🧬Breeding PlannerSelect parent varieties to view breeding schedules and offspring patterns🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature🎯Pet Match DiagnosticAnswer 7 questions to find your top 3 perfect pets📋Lifetime Cost SimulatorEstimate lifespan and lifetime costs by species for dogs, cats, reptiles and more🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance💊Medication Dosage CalculatorCalculate proper medication dosage by body weight and medicine type for fish, reptiles, and small animals⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Ember Tetra in the encyclopedia

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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

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