Fire Ant Tetra - Hyphessobrycon myrmex

Fire Ant Tetra (Hyphessobrycon myrmex)

The Fire Ant Tetra is a small and attractive freshwater tetra admired for its warm red to orange colouration, subtle dark markings and lively shoaling behaviour. Peaceful and best kept in groups, it makes an excellent choice for planted community aquariums where subdued lighting, darker substrate and plenty of cover can help enhance its natural colour. Its compact size and calm temperament make it especially suitable for smaller, well-maintained tropical setups.

Common Name:
Fire Ant Tetra

Scientific Name (Latin):
Hyphessobrycon myrmex

Maximum Size:
Approximately 3–4 cm

Water Type:
Freshwater

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Fire Ant Tetra originates from freshwater habitats in South America and is associated with slow-moving streams and tributaries containing vegetation, submerged roots and leaf litter.

It benefits from aquariums that provide gentle flow, planted cover and shaded areas while still leaving open space for swimming.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 5.5–7.0
Hardness: Soft to Moderate
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: Kept low and stable

Temperament:
Peaceful

The Fire Ant Tetra is a peaceful community fish that should be maintained with other calm, similarly sized species.

Keeping it in a suitable group helps reduce stress and encourages more natural social and shoaling behaviour.

Diet:
Omnivore / Micro-predator

Offer a varied diet including high-quality micro pellets, finely crushed flakes, frozen or live daphnia, baby brine shrimp and other suitably small foods.

Several small feeds throughout the day can be beneficial due to its small size.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 50 litres

A longer aquarium with open swimming space is preferable, particularly when keeping a larger shoal.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Fire Ant Tetra is an active but relatively gentle shoaling fish that typically occupies the middle areas of the aquarium.

Keep in groups of at least six to eight individuals, with larger groups preferred where space allows.

Provide planted areas, driftwood, leaf litter and shaded zones alongside open swimming room.

Community Suitability:
Community Fish

The Fire Ant Tetra is well suited to peaceful planted community aquariums.

Suitable tankmates include small rasboras, other peaceful tetras, dwarf Corydoras, small catfish and other non-aggressive species with similar water requirements.

Avoid large, predatory or highly boisterous fish that may intimidate or outcompete them.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in a mature aquarium with stable water chemistry and gentle filtration.

Soft, slightly acidic water is preferable and can help encourage natural colouration and behaviour.

A darker substrate and subdued lighting can enhance the warm red and orange tones of the fish.

Leaf litter, driftwood and botanical materials can be used to create a more natural environment.

Regular partial water changes and consistent feeding with appropriately sized foods are important for long-term health.

Because colour intensity can vary with age, sex, diet, mood and aquarium conditions, individual fish may differ naturally in appearance.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.