Ember Tetra tank mates
Tiny warm-orange schooler that fits a nano planted tank where larger tetras would not.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Cherry Barb as a recommended pairing. Cherry Barb schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Cherry Barb grows bigger than Ember Tetra (5cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Cherry Barb, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish grows bigger than Ember Tetra (6cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Corydoras Catfish, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food. Corydoras Catfish swims in the bottom zone while Ember Tetra stays in the middle, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Dwarf Gourami as both safe and a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami grows bigger than Ember Tetra (8cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Dwarf Gourami, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Glowlight Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Glowlight Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Glowlight Tetra grows bigger than Ember Tetra (4cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Glowlight Tetra, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Harlequin Rasbora as both safe and a recommended pairing. Harlequin Rasbora schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Harlequin Rasbora grows bigger than Ember Tetra (5cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Harlequin Rasbora, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Honey Gourami as both safe and a recommended pairing. Honey Gourami grows bigger than Ember Tetra (6cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Honey Gourami, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Neon Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Neon Tetra grows bigger than Ember Tetra (4cm vs 2cm). Stock the Ember Tetra group large enough to outnumber the Neon Tetra, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Ember Tetra profile lists Pygmy Corydoras as a recommended pairing. Pygmy Corydoras schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Risky or situational
From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.
None on file beyond the safe list.
Fish to avoid with Ember Tetra
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Ember Tetra at 2cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 45L minimum for Ember Tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Ember Tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory. Ember Tetra at 2cm is prey-sized for it. Jack Dempsey needs at least 200L, far above the 45L minimum for Ember Tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive and Ember Tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Green Terror reaches 30cm and is flagged predatory. Ember Tetra at 2cm is prey-sized for it. Green Terror needs at least 300L, far above the 45L minimum for Ember Tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other. Green Terror is rated aggressive and Ember Tetra is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Angelfish reaches 20cm and is flagged predatory. Ember Tetra at 2cm is prey-sized for it. Angelfish needs at least 150L, far above the 45L minimum for Ember Tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other.
Tiger Barb conflicts with Ember Tetra on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Betta conflicts with Ember Tetra on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Discus needs at least 200L, far above the 45L minimum for Ember Tetra. The tank that houses one stresses the other.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Ember Tetra: 45L — group minimum 8 (schooling).
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 60L hub.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 45L minimum tank for Ember Tetra needs a filter rated for at least 180L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 20–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Neon Tetra — min 40L
- Beckford Pencilfish — min 60L
- Black Neon Tetra — min 60L
- Bloodfin tetra — min 60L
- Cardinal Tetra — min 60L
- Glowlight Tetra — min 60L
- Green neon tetra — min 60L
- Lemon Tetra — min 60L
Related (care + temperament)
Other species that list Ember Tetra
Reverse lookup: these profiles reference Ember Tetra under safe or “best with” lists.