Ember Tetras (Hyphessobrycon amandae) as dithers?

[dwarfpike]

I'm looking at these for my dwarf acaras, since they come from a tributary of the river system the acaras are from. So they are kind of biotope-y. My acaras are breeding, but I am less worried about that at the moment since I don't have another tank available to raise fry. But long term, what are peoples' experience with them as fry predators?

Simply Fishy says they aren't much for fry hunting, but would rather hear of any first hand accounts. Yes, I know which pencilfish work but am limited funds wise at the moment. So I was looking at either black neons as Darrel has recommended in other dither threads or embers.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I'm interested in the outcome of this one as well, because Ember Tetras are commonly available. I seem to remember from the BCA forum that Simon has used them as a dither, so hopefully he can say whether it was successful or not.

cheers Darrel

 

[Simon Morgan]

I like them, didn't observe any fry hunting behaviour but I tend to remove dithers at the first sign of (apisto) eggs.

 

[Tom C]

I've kept them as dithers a lot, 5 - 6 years ago. I did see them hunt fry, but they always only managed to take a few, (not like a school of Neons, who could consume all 60 freeswimming fry in a few hours), so I didn't care.
In very acid, peatfiltered, blackwater they are true beauties!

 

[dwarfpike]

Thanks Tom. A few I wouldn't mind either, I lost count at 160 eggs and that was only their first spawn with a fairly small female. Plus, there's not many places here abouts to distribute the fry. Sounds like they are worth a try.

 

[Mike Wise]

dwarfpike, I see you're from the Seattle area. I'll be giving programs to the Seattle club next week; 1 on Sat. 10/5 (for club members only) and 1 on Tuesday 10/8.

 

[dwarfpike]

Yes, I'm joining so I can hear "A community tank is not a breeding tank" in person.