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Fish guides / Ember tetra
Schooling fish

Ember Tetra: Tank Size, Tank Mates and Setup

A tiny orange schooling fish that suits small planted tanks. Keep six or more.

Minimum tank
10 gallons
Temperature
73–82°F
Group size
6 or more
Adult size
0.8 inMiddle of the tank
  • Needs small food: crushed flakes or micro pellets.

Hyphessobrycon amandae. Figures are commonly published care ranges; see how it works.

How many ember tetras per tank size

The most you could keep if ember tetras were the only species. Open a size in the builder to add tank mates.

TankEmber tetra, kept alone
5 gallonToo small (needs 10+ gal)
10 gallonUp to 16Plan this tank
20 gallonUp to 40Plan this tank
29 gallonUp to 65Plan this tank
40 gallonUp to 90Plan this tank
55 gallonUp to 123Plan this tank
75 gallonUp to 168Plan this tank

What you need for ember tetras in a 10-gallon tank

A starting setup: 6 ember tetras in the smallest standard tank that suits them.

Your blueprint

10-gallon tank

6 ember tetras
Stocking level32% · Lightly stocked
  • These fit a 10-gallon tank and get along. Aim for about 78°F.

Equipment, sized for this tank

Tank: 10 gallons
Standard size: 20 × 10 × 12 inches, about 111 lbs when full.
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Heater: 50 watts
Holds 10 gallons at 78°F in a 68°F room.
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Hang-on-back filter: 50+ gallons per hour
Turns the tank over about 5 times an hour.
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Gravel or sand: 18 lbs
Enough for a 1.5-inch layer in this tank.
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LED light and lid: 20 inches long
A lid cuts evaporation and stops fish and snails getting out.
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Starter supplies

Water conditioner
Removes chlorine from tap water. Roughly 1 mL per full fill; follow your bottle's label.
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Liquid water test kit
For cycling the tank before fish go in, and for checking water after.
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Thermometer
A heater's dial is only a rough guide.
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Gravel vacuum
For weekly water changes of about 3 gallons (25%).
See on Amazon
Micro pellets for small fish
For your ember tetras.
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Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, TankStarter earns from qualifying purchases. Sizes are estimates from published care guidelines, not hands-on testing.

Ember tetra tank mates

These share a temperature range and temperament with ember tetras, with no warnings from our checks.

Use caution with: white cloud minnow, angelfish, fancy goldfish. Add them in the builder to see why.

Plan a tank around ember tetras

Add tank mates, check the stocking level and get the equipment sized for your tank.

Open the tank builder

Ember tetra questions

What size tank does a ember tetra need?

At least 10 gallons for a group of 6. A larger tank is more stable and gives you more choice of tank mates.

How many ember tetras can I keep in a 10-gallon tank?

Up to about 16 if they are the only species in the tank. Fewer if you add other fish.

Do ember tetras need a heater?

Usually yes. Ember tetra does best at 73–82°F, which is warmer than most rooms. A 10-gallon tank needs about 50 watts in a 68°F room.

What fish can live with ember tetras?

Good matches include bettas, neon tetras, cardinal tetras, rummy-nose tetras, black skirt tetras, guppies. They share a temperature range and temperament with ember tetras.