Ember Tetra

A tiny orange schooling fish that shines in planted tanks. Best kept in a group with gentle companions and stable water.

tankSize
40L (10 gal) minimum for a school
careLevel
Beginner
temperature
23 to 28C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Micro-pellets, fine flakes, and frozen foods
lifespan
2 to 4 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (schooling)
weeklyMaintenance
Water changes and filter checks

Best for

  • Nano community tanks
  • Planted aquariums with calm tank mates
  • Owners who like subtle, natural-looking fish
  • People who keep groups of small schooling fish

Not ideal for

  • Tanks with large or aggressive fish
  • High-flow setups without calm areas
  • Uncycled tanks
  • Owners who want a single pet fish

Temperament

  • Peaceful and shy
  • Most confident in larger groups
  • Prefers soft lighting and plant cover

Daily routine

feeding: Small feedings once or twice daily; use tiny food sizes.
check: Confirm schooling behavior and steady temperature.
enrichment: Dense plants and leaf litter style décor help them relax.

Living fit

smallHome: Excellent choice for a small planted tank.
kids: Great for observation and simple routines.
firstTimeOwner: Good if you learn basic water testing.

Health notes

  • Small fish are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.
  • Stable parameters reduce stress and disease.
  • Avoid sudden big water chemistry shifts.

Cost and time

time: Low daily time; weekly maintenance required.
cost: Low fish cost; moderate setup cost for stability.

Find the best fish for your lifestyle

Prefer a guided recommendation instead of browsing?

Find the best fish for me