Ember Tetra Tank Mates

Ember Tetra is peaceful, so its tank mates need choosing with care. Here are the 136 freshwater species that pair well with an ember tetra — plus the 106 to avoid — with a live checker you can tune to your own tank.

By The Aquarium DB Team • Updated June 7, 2026 • Full Ember Tetra care guide →
Best matches

The best tank mates for an ember tetra

  • Neon Green Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Ramshorn Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Dawn Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Nerite Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 2.5 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Assassin Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Cherry Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Endler's Livebearer ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Glowlight Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Gold Ring Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Neon Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Tail-spot Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Trinidad Guppy ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3 cm · 19–24 °C (66–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Pygmy Corydoras ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.2 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Glowlight Rasbora ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 3.5 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Blue Danio ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Emperor Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Flame Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
  • Ghost Shrimp ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Glowlight Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Golden Dwarf Barb ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–24 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
  • Phoenix Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
  • Red Phantom Tetra ✅ Compatible
    Easy care · Peaceful · 4 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
With caution

Ember Tetra tank mates that can work with care

  • African Butterfly Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 8 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    African Butterfly Cichlid is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Amazon Puffer ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 8 cm · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    Your 75 L tank is below the ~120 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Angelfish ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 15 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Expect Angelfish to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Banded Gourami ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Semi-aggressive · 12 cm · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    Banded Gourami is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
  • Bandit Cichlid ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 9 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Bandit Cichlid clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
  • Bearded Corydoras ⚠️ With caution
    Medium care · Peaceful · 10 cm · 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)
    Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
  • Black Darter Tetra ⚠️ With caution
    Hard care · Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    Expect Black Darter Tetra to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
  • Black Ruby Barb ⚠️ With caution
    Easy care · Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    Black Ruby Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.

+ 90 more “with caution” pairings — see the interactive checker above.

Avoid

Fish to avoid keeping with an ember tetra

  • Wels Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 300 cm · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    Wels Catfish (300 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Ember Tetra whole.
  • Alligator Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 250 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Size gap is too large (250 vs 2 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Ember Tetra as food.
  • Redtail Catfish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 120 cm · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    Size gap is too large (120 vs 2 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Ember Tetra as food.
  • Fire Eel ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Size gap is too large (100 vs 2 cm): Fire Eel will treat Ember Tetra as food.
  • Clown Knifefish ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
  • Koi ⛔ Avoid
    Medium care · Peaceful · 90 cm · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
  • Spotted Gar ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 90 cm · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
  • Wolf Cichlid ⛔ Avoid
    Hard care · Aggressive · 72 cm · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    Wolf Cichlid (72 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Ember Tetra whole.

+ 98 more to avoid — the checker above flags every one.

Interactive tool

Check any fish against an ember tetra

Dial in your exact tank size and filter by result — the checker scores every species in our database against an ember tetra, with the reasoning for each verdict.

Tank-mate checker

Will it live with a Ember Tetra?

We compare each fish against your ember tetra on temperament, size, water parameters and swimming zone. Set your tank size and filter the results.

  • Assassin Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Celestial Pearl Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Celestial Pearl Danio in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Cherry Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Cherry Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Chili Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Chili Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Crystal Red Shrimp✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Crystal Red Shrimp in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dawn Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dawn Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dwarf Spotted Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dwarf Spotted Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Emerald Dwarf Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 20–24 °C (68–75 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–24 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Emerald Dwarf Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Endler's Livebearer✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Endler's Livebearer in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Exclamation Point Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Exclamation Point Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Glowlight Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Glowlight Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Gold Ring Danio✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Gold Ring Danio in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Green Neon Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Green Neon Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Hummingbird Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 1.8 cm · Hard care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–27 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Hummingbird Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Lambchop Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–28 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Lambchop Rasbora in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Malaysian Trumpet Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 3 cm · Easy care · 21–27 °C (70–81 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Blue Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Blue Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Neon Green Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Compatible on the things that matter: shared water near 24–26 °C, workable temperaments, and no predator-and-prey size gap.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Neon Green Rasbora in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Nerite Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2.5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ramshorn Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 20–28 °C (68–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Red Lip Nerite Snail✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Ruby Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Ruby Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Strawberry Rasbora✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 2 cm · Medium care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful; temperature, pH and hardness ranges all overlap and neither outsizes the other enough to be a threat.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Strawberry Rasbora in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tucano Tetra✅ Compatible
    Peaceful · 1.7 cm · Hard care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Both are peaceful, and their water overlaps around 24–28 °C — no size, zone or temperament conflicts.
    • Both favour the middle of the tank — offer enough cover so they aren't always in each other's space.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Tucano Tetra in a shoal of 10+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Darter Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Hard care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    • Expect Black Darter Tetra to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Watch for Black Darter Tetra picking off any ember tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Ruby Barb⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
    • Black Ruby Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Ember Tetra is small enough to tempt Black Ruby Barb; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~100 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Black Ruby Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Black Skirt Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Black Skirt Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Watch for Black Skirt Tetra picking off any ember tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Black Skirt Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Blue Turbo Snail⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 25–30 °C (77–86 °F)
    • pH preferences only just meet (Ember Tetra 5.5–7 vs Blue Turbo Snail 7.5–8.5) — target the overlap and acclimate slowly.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Colombian Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6.5 cm · Easy care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Colombian Tetra clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Watch for Colombian Tetra picking off any ember tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~114 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Colombian Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Desert Goby⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
    • Desert Goby is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Desert Goby may hunt Ember Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Dwarf Chain Loach⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 6 cm · Medium care · 24–29 °C (75–84 °F)
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Dwarf Chain Loach in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • GloFish Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
    • GloFish Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • GloFish Tetra may hunt Ember Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep GloFish Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Morse Code Corydoras⚠️ With caution
    Peaceful · 5 cm · Medium care · 23–26 °C (73–79 °F)
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~80 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Morse Code Corydoras in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Odessa Barb⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 6 cm · Easy care · 20–26 °C (68–79 °F)
    • Odessa Barb is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Odessa Barb may hunt Ember Tetra, fry or shrimplets — safest in a heavily planted tank.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Odessa Barb in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Pea Puffer⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 2.5 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Pea Puffer is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Rainbow Emperor Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 3.6 cm · Medium care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Rainbow Emperor Tetra is semi-aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Ember Tetra is small enough to tempt Rainbow Emperor Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Rainbow Emperor Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Scarlet Badis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 2 cm · Medium care · 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
    • Expect Scarlet Badis to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Serpae Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Easy care · 23–28 °C (73–82 °F)
    • Expect Serpae Tetra to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Watch for Serpae Tetra picking off any ember tetra small enough to fit in its mouth.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Serpae Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Silvertip Tetra⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 5 cm · Easy care · 22–28 °C (72–82 °F)
    • Expect Silvertip Tetra to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Ember Tetra is small enough to tempt Silvertip Tetra; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
    • Keep Silvertip Tetra in a shoal of 6+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Tiger Badis⚠️ With caution
    Semi-aggressive · 4 cm · Medium care · 22–24 °C (72–75 °F)
    • Tiger Badis clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is semi-aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Ember Tetra is small enough to tempt Tiger Badis; only risk it in a densely planted setup with hiding spots.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Alligator Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 250 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (250 vs 2 cm): Alligator Gar will treat Ember Tetra as food.
    • Alligator Gar clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3785 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Clown Knifefish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory clown knifefish — it will be eaten.
    • Clown Knifefish is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~750 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Fire Eel⛔ Not recommended
    Semi-aggressive · 100 cm · Medium care · 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (100 vs 2 cm): Fire Eel will treat Ember Tetra as food.
    • Expect Fire Eel to harass Ember Tetra at times; give dense cover and watch them at feeding.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~380 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Koi⛔ Not recommended
    Peaceful · 90 cm · Medium care · 4–28 °C (39–82 °F)
    • Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm koi — it will be eaten.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~3800 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Redtail Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 120 cm · Hard care · 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
    • Size gap is too large (120 vs 2 cm): Redtail Catfish will treat Ember Tetra as food.
    • Redtail Catfish clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~5700 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Spotted Gar⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 90 cm · Hard care · 18–26 °C (64–79 °F)
    • Ember Tetra is bite-sized to a 90 cm predatory spotted gar — it will be eaten.
    • Spotted Gar clearly outsizes Ember Tetra and is aggressive; risky unless the tank is big and well-planted.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~600 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wels Catfish⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 300 cm · Hard care · 15–25 °C (59–77 °F)
    • Wels Catfish (300 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Ember Tetra whole.
    • Wels Catfish is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~20000 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.
  • Wolf Cichlid⛔ Not recommended
    Aggressive · 72 cm · Hard care · 24–30 °C (75–86 °F)
    • Wolf Cichlid (72 cm) is big enough to swallow the 2 cm Ember Tetra whole.
    • Wolf Cichlid is aggressive and may chase or nip the smaller Ember Tetra — plant heavily and break up sight lines.
    • Your 75 L tank is below the ~760 L this pairing really wants — crowding raises aggression.
    • Keep Ember Tetra in a shoal of 8+ or it gets stressed and nippy.

Compatibility is computed from each species' care data — a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Individual temperament varies, so always introduce new fish slowly and watch them.

Setting up an ember tetra community tank

Give the group a stable, planted 75 L+ tank with a gentle filter, a reliable heater and plenty of cover — broken sight lines and hiding spots let mid-water and bottom dwellers keep out of each other's way. Cycle it fully and stock gradually.

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How to choose

How to choose the right tank mates for an ember tetra

As a peaceful species, ember tetra is easily bullied — favour other calm, non-nippy fish and steer clear of boisterous or aggressive tank mates. It mostly occupies the middle of the tank, so it pairs naturally with species that use the other levels.

Ember Tetra grows to about 2 cm, so avoid tank mates small enough to be seen as food — as a rule of thumb, skip anything under roughly 2 cm. Match its water, too: aim for 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 5.5–7 and 1–10 dGH. Fish needing very different conditions — coldwater species, or hard-water lovers against a soft-water fish — rarely thrive side by side.

Ember Tetra is a shoaling fish — stock a group of 8+ of its own kind first, then build compatible tank mates around them. Whatever you add, introduce new fish slowly, watch for bullying in the first days, and have a backup plan if temperaments clash.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can an ember tetra live with other fish?

Yes — with the right companions. Our checker finds 136 compatible freshwater species for ember tetra. Pick calm, similarly-sized fish that share its water needs and add them to a mature, well-planted tank.

What is the best tank mate for an ember tetra?

Easy, peaceful, similarly-sized species top the list — for example Neon Green Rasbora, Ramshorn Snail, Red Lip Nerite Snail. Use the checker above to match against your own tank size.

What fish should you avoid keeping with an ember tetra?

Avoid Wels Catfish, Alligator Gar, Redtail Catfish and similar — usually a temperature, size or temperament clash. The full "avoid" list below gives the reason for each.

How big a tank do ember tetra tank mates need?

Start from Ember Tetra's own minimum and scale up with every addition. The checker above defaults to a 75 L community tank and flags pairings that need more room — drag the slider to match your setup.

← Back to the full Ember Tetra care guide