Fish comparison
Ember Tetra vs Gold Barb
How the Ember Tetra and Gold Barb compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Ember Tetra vs Gold Barb
The Ember Tetra and the Gold Barb come up together a lot when people are choosing a fish, and they are close enough to weigh side by side. Both are happy somewhere around 23 to 24 °C and pH 6 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. The Gold Barb is the more forgiving of the two, which matters if this is an early tank, while the Ember Tetra rewards a bit more attention. If tank space is tight, the Ember Tetra needs less room to feel settled; give the Gold Barb the nod when you have the litres to spare.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
4 notes
Temperature
- Ember Tetra23–29 °C
- Gold Barb18–24 °C
pH
- Ember Tetra5.5–7
- Gold Barb6–8
Hardness
- Ember Tetra1–10 dGH
- Gold Barb5–20 dGH
What to plan for
- Ember Tetra schools, stock at least 8You've planned for 1 ember tetra. Ember Tetra need a group of at least 8 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- Gold Barb schools, stock at least 6You've planned for 1 gold barb. Gold Barb need a group of at least 6 to feel safe and shoal naturally, below that they're stressed and lose colour. Dial up the count, or remove the species.
- No bottom teamNo bottom-dwelling fish or shrimp. A small group of corydoras or a shrimp colony picks up leftover food and keeps detritus in check.
- 100% of your fish swim in the midHeavy concentration in a single zone. Spreading stocking across all three levels makes the tank read fuller for the same bioload.
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishEmber TetraHyphessobrycon amandae |  FishGold BarbBarbodes semifasciolatus |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Rio das Mortes basin, Brazil | Red River basin, China and Vietnam |
| Family | Characidae | Cyprinidae |
| Temperature | 23–29 °C | 18–24 °C |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 | 6.0–8.0 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–10 | 5–20 |
| Flow rate | Low | Low to Medium |
| Min tank | 40 L | 75 L |
| Adult size | 2 cm | 6–8 cm |
| Difficulty | 2 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 2–4 yrs | 4–6 yrs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Water column | Mid | Mid |
| Schooling | Yes | Yes |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Yes (adults safe with adult shrimp) | Adults only (may nip shrimplets) |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Ember Tetra and Gold Barb together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 23 to 24 °C and pH 6 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Ember Tetra or the Gold Barb?
The Gold Barb is the easier of the two, closer to very easy, while the Ember Tetra leans beginner-friendly.
Do Ember Tetra and Gold Barb need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 23 to 24 °C and pH 6 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Ember Tetra and the Gold Barb?
Space. The Ember Tetra wants about 40 litres minimum and the Gold Barb around 75, so tank size can settle it.