Species › Tetras

Ember tetra tank mates and minimum tank size

Hyphessobrycon amandae

Ember tetras grow to 2 cm (0.8 in). They live in groups: keep at least 10. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F) and pH 5.0–7.0.

Minimum tank

41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long

Adult size

2 cm (0.8 in)

Temperature

24–28 °C (75–82 °F)

pH

pH 5.0–7.0

Group

10 or more

Ember tetra minimum tank size

Ember tetras need at least 41 L (11 US gal), in a tank at least 45 cm (18 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 2 cm (0.8 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (8 cm (3.1 in)).

Ember tetra tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against ember tetras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (18)

• Black neon tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Chili rasbora
• German blue ram
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Kuhli loach
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pygmy corydoras
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Siamese algae eater

With care (24)

• BettaThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by bettas and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as ember tetras, many do not. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger bettas (7 cm).
• Black skirt tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger black skirt tetras (7.5 cm).
• Boeseman's rainbowfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Boeseman's rainbowfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Cherry shrimpEmber tetras (2 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger cockatoo dwarf cichlids (7.5 cm).
• Common plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by common plecos and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger Congo tetras (8 cm).
• DiscusEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Dwarf gouramiEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• Endler's livebearerThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by Endler's livebearers and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Glass catfishEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger glass catfish (6.5 cm).
• GuppyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by guppies and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger guppies (6 cm).
• Honey gouramiEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• KribensisEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Nerite snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by nerite snails and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• PlatyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by platies and ember tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Red tail sharkEmber tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger red tail sharks (13 cm).
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets.
• SwordtailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by swordtails and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy ember tetras are likely targets. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by ember tetras and zebra danios. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (10)

• AngelfishAngelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; ember tetras grow to 2 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.8–7.0, set by angelfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so ember tetras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; ember tetras grow to 2 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by convict cichlids and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• GoldfishEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; ember tetras need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger mollies (8 cm).
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; ember tetras need pH 5.0–7.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; ember tetras grow to 2 cm. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Paradise fishEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger paradise fish (8 cm).
• Peppered corydorasEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rosy barbEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger rosy barbs (14 cm).
• White cloud mountain minnowEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank