Ember tetras are a popular small freshwater fish for nano aquariums. Their fiery orange coloring and peaceful temperament make them an excellent choice for planted community tanks. But how many of these tiny tetras can live comfortably in a standard 10-gallon tank? Let’s take a look at the factors to consider when stocking ember tetras.
Ember Tetra Care
Ember tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae) are native to the Araguaia River basin of Brazil. In the home aquarium, they grow to around 1.2 inches long and have a life span of 5-7 years with proper care and conditions. Here are some quick care guidelines for ember tetras:
- Tank Size: 10 gallons minimum for a group
- Water Parameters: 74-82°F, pH 6.0-7.5, soft to moderately hard
- Diet: Omnivorous, eats small live and frozen foods
- Behavior: Peaceful schooling fish, does well in community tanks
- Plants & Decor: Planted tanks with driftwood and leaf litter
Ember tetras are schooling fish, so they should be kept in groups of 6 or more. They need plenty of swimming space in a well-planted tank with soft water and warm temperatures. With their small size and low bioload, ember tetras are well-suited for nano planted aquariums.
Stocking Considerations for a 10-Gallon Tank
A standard 10-gallon aquarium has a footprint of roughly 20 inches long by 10 inches wide. This provides 200 square inches of floor space. As a general rule, most nano fish need at least 20 gallons of swimming space each. But some species, like ember tetras, can manage with less due to their diminutive size.
Here are some factors to consider when stocking ember tetras in a 10-gallon tank:
- Group Size: Ember tetras should be kept in a group of at least 6. Groups of 8-10 are ideal.
- Tankmates: Peaceful community fish like other small tetras, rasboras, or dwarf cory cats make good tankmates.
- Bioload: Ember tetras have a relatively low bioload for their size. A group won’t overload the filtration.
- Swimming Space: Active swimmers need adequate horizontal swimming room.
- Plants & Decor: Heavily planted tanks with hiding spots support their natural behaviors.
- Water Flow: Ember tetras prefer gentle water movement and quiet areas.
Keeping these factors in mind will help optimize both fish health and behavior in a 10-gallon ember tetra tank.
Recommended Stocking for 10-Gallon Ember Tetra Tank
Based on their needs and limitations of a 10-gallon tank, here are two recommended stocking options for ember tetras:
Option 1: Ember School
- 8-10 ember tetras
A group of 8-10 ember tetras makes for an attractive focal point showcasing their bright colors and schooling behavior. No other tankmates are recommended for this option so the tetras have plenty of swimming space.
Option 2: Ember Tetra Community
- 6 ember tetras
- 6 neon tetras
- 6 pygmy corydoras
A community tank with ember tetras, neon tetras, and pygmy corys provides color, activity, and contrast. The smaller tetras and bottom-dwelling catfish make excellent tankmates. The combined bioload should be suitable for a 10-gallon planted tank.
Tank Setup for Ember Tetras
Ember tetras thrive in heavily planted nano aquariums. Here are some guidelines for setting up a 10-gallon planted ember tetra tank:
Aquarium
- Standard 10-gallon glass tank
- Aquarium stand & canopy
- Hang-on-back power filter rated for 10-20 gallons
- 50W aquarium heater with automatic temperature control
- LED full spectrum light or fluorescent light
Substrate
- 2-3 inches of fine gravel or aquarium soil
- Gentle substrate slope from back to front
Decorations
- Driftwood pieces and branches
- Seiryu stones or smooth river rocks
- Caves, tunnels, leaf litter
- Fine-leaf aquatic plants
Plants
Recommended aquatic plants for a 10-gallon ember tetra planted tank include:
- Amazon sword
- Java fern
- Anubias nana
- Cryptocorynes
- Dwarf sagittaria
- Hygrophila
- Rotala
- Guppy grass
- Moss balls
- Floating plants like duckweed or red root floaters
Aim for about 70% plant coverage with a variety of fast- and slow-growing stem plants, epiphytes, floater plants and carpet plants.
10-Gallon Ember Tetra Tank Maintenance
While nano tanks don’t require as much maintenance as larger aquariums, a 10-gallon planted ember tetra tank will need regular care and water changes. Here are some typical maintenance tasks and schedules:
- Water Changes: 25% weekly, siphon gravel during water changes
- Filter Cleaning: Rinse/replace filter media monthly
- Glass Cleaning: Use algae scraper weekly, clean inside glass biweekly
- Pruning Plants: Trim fast growing stems every 1-2 weeks
- Feeding: Once or twice daily, remove uneaten food
- Testing Water: Check parameters 1-2 times per month
The small size of a 10-gallon tank means water parameters can shift rapidly. Frequent partial water changes and limiting stocking levels is important. Test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH to make sure the water stays safe for fish.
Alternative Tankmates for Ember Tetras
While neon tetras and pygmy corydoras make excellent tankmates for ember tetras, there are some other suitable community fish to consider including:
- Green neon tetras
- Espei rasboras
- Chili rasboras
- Celestial pearl danios
- Endler’s livebearers
- Dwarf pencilfish
- Habrosus corydoras
- Pygmy hatchet fish
Shrimp like red cherry shrimp and amano shrimp can work too. Avoid fin-nipping fish like bettas or barbs that may harass the tetras. Also be wary of particularly active fish that need more swimming space.
Feeding Ember Tetras
In the wild, ember tetras forage on small insects, worms, crustaceans and plant matter. In the home aquarium they should be fed a varied diet including:
- Micro pellet food
- Crushed flake food
- Live foods like microworms
- Frozen foods like baby brine shrimp
- Blanched veggies like zucchini slices
Feed no more than they can consume in 2-3 minutes, 1-2 times per day. Soak dry foods in tank water before feeding to prevent bloating. Vary their diet and supplement with occasional treats like daphnia or mosquito larvae for balanced nutrition.
Breeding Ember Tetras
While ember tetras can be bred in captivity, they rarely spawn in a community aquarium. Providing optimal conditions can encourage breeding behavior:
- Group of 1 male and 2-3 females in a 10 gallon tank
- Very soft, acidic water with pH 5.5-6.5, temperature around 82°F
- Abundant plants like mosses and fine-leaf plants
- Peat filtration
- Live foods like grindal worms or daphnia
- Daily water changes
- Flat slate or tile for spawning surface
Females scatter adhesive eggs on prepared surfaces which the males then fertilize. Eggs will hatch in 24-36 hours, with fry becoming free-swimming a few days later. Feed newly hatched brine shrimp, infusoria or powdered fry food.
Advantages of Ember Tetras for Nano Tanks
Ember tetras are an ideal fish species for small planted aquariums. Here are some of the advantages of keeping ember tetras in a 10-gallon tank:
- Peaceful temperament allows tankmates
- Small size has lower bioload
- Colorful appearance with orange fins
- Active schooling fish
- Does well in planted tanks with soft water
- Readily eats prepared and live foods
- Low maintenance and easy to care for
- Long average lifespan up to 7 years
For these reasons, ember tetras are a popular choice among nano tank enthusiasts. Their striking coloration and active schooling make them a great display fish.
Potential Issues with Ember Tetras
While they are generally hardy, healthy fish, there are a few potential issues to be aware of with ember tetras:
- Sensitive to poor water conditions
- May jump – need tight-fitting tank lid
- Shy if not kept in large enough groups
- May fin nip long-finned fish
- Susceptible to Ich if stressed
- Overfeeding can cause bloating
Providing good water quality, proper nutrition and appropriate tankmates can prevent most issues. Quarantine new fish and use gentle tankmates to avoid potential problems.
Conclusion
For its size, the ember tetra offers vivid coloration and active schooling behaviors. A group of 8-10 can be housed in a heavily planted 10-gallon aquarium along with a few compatible tankmates. Focus on providing soft, acidic water, plenty of swimming space, a varied diet, gentle water flow and lush plants to successfully keep ember tetras. With the right tank setup and care, these nano-sized beauties will thrive.
