Our Guide To Keeping Fire Ant Tetra

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Hyphessobrycon myrmex
   • Common name: Fire Ant Tetra
   • Family: Characidae
   • Origin: Brazil, South America
   • Adult length: 2 to 3.5 cm
   • Lifespan: Up to 5 years
   • Diet: Omnivore
   • Care Level: Easy to Moderate
   • Temperament: Peaceful

2. Tank Setup:

   • Fire Ant Tetras are small shoaling fish that do best in a mature, well-planted aquarium. A minimum tank size of around 54 to 60L is recommended for a small group.
   • Use fine substrate, live plants, driftwood, leaf litter, and shaded areas to help them feel secure and show their strongest red-orange colouration.
   • Floating plants are useful for softening bright light, while open swimming space should still be left at the front or middle of the aquarium.
   • They should be kept in groups of at least eight, although ten or more is better for natural shoaling behaviour and reduced stress.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Fire Ant Tetras prefer soft to moderately soft water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
   • Keep the water temperature between 23 to 28°C.
   • They are best added to a fully cycled aquarium with stable water quality and regular partial water changes.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • A gentle to moderate filter is suitable for Fire Ant Tetras, providing clean and well-oxygenated water without creating excessive current.
   • They usually occupy the middle to upper areas of the aquarium, so avoid very strong flow that may make shoaling difficult.
   • A sponge filter, small internal filter, or adjusted external filter outlet can work well for this species.

5. Diet:

   • Fire Ant Tetras are omnivores and will usually accept high-quality flake, micro pellets, and fine granules as a staple diet.
   • Supplement their diet with small frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, and finely chopped bloodworms.
   • Because they are a small species, offer suitably sized foods and feed small portions once or twice daily.

6. Tank mates:

   • Fire Ant Tetras are peaceful and are best kept with other small, calm community fish that will not outcompete or intimidate them.
   • Suitable tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, Otocinclus, pygmy Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful nano fish.
   • Avoid large, aggressive, predatory, or very boisterous species, as Fire Ant Tetras are small and may become stressed or viewed as prey.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Fire Ant Tetras are active, peaceful shoaling fish that look most impressive when kept in a larger group.
   • Males may display to each other, with dominant males often showing stronger colour, but serious aggression is not usually a problem in a suitably sized group.
   • They are well suited to planted community aquariums, nano aquariums, and South American-style setups with soft lighting and peaceful tank mates.