Ember Tetra

The ember tetra is a tiny characin of the family Characidae, native to the Araguaia River basin in central Brazil. It has a translucent body glowing in warm orange to fiery red, most intense along the front half, which gives the species its name. It is a peaceful, tightly shoaling fish that should be kept in groups of ten or more, where its color and gentle schooling are most striking. It occupies the middle water levels and mixes well with other small, calm species. A soft, gently filtered planted tank with subdued lighting and dark substrate makes its colors pop. Its small mouth needs finely crushed flakes and small live or frozen foods such as microworms and baby brine shrimp. It is an egg-scatterer that can be bred in soft, dimly lit water with fine-leaved plants.