Diamond tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Moenkhausia pittieri, Diamond
Family
Acestrorhamphidae (American tetras; formerly Characidae)
Origin
Endemic to Lake Valencia and the surrounding waters in northern Venezuela.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
Soft to medium, 5–12 dGH
Minimum tank
70 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

The diamond tetra is a larger, deep-bodied tetra whose scales catch the light like glitter, and mature males grow long, violet-tinged fins. It needs a little more room than the smallest tetras: a tank with a base of at least 60 × 38 cm, and more for a good group. Keep at least six to eight – kept in ones and twos it can turn nippy, but a proper shoal usually settles that. It looks best in a densely planted tank with dim lighting, a dark substrate, driftwood and some leaf litter; strong light washes out its shine. Aim for soft to medium water (about 5–12 dGH), pH roughly 5.5–7.0 and 24–28 °C, with regular partial water changes. In the wild this fish is in real trouble: FishBase lists it as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, as it is found only in the Lake Valencia basin. The fish sold in the hobby are mass-bred on farms in Eastern Europe and the Far East, so buying captive-bred stock puts no pressure on wild populations. It was recently moved from Moenkhausia to the genus Makunaima, so you may see either name. Rated Endangered by the IUCN: it seems to have vanished from Lake Valencia itself, so buying captive-bred stock is the responsible choice. Sources: Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/moenkhausia-pittieri/); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Makunaima-pittieri.html); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Moenkhausia-pittieri.html); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamondtetra). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Takes most foods readily, including good flakes and granules. For the best sparkle and finnage give regular meals of small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp.

Breeding

Breeds much like other egg-scattering tetras. Males are larger, less stocky and have extended dorsal, anal and pelvic fins with violet colouring. Set up a separate, dimly lit tank with soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, 1–5 dGH) at 26.5–29 °C, with fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or mesh over the base. Condition a pair or small group on live and frozen foods; remove the adults after spawning as they eat the eggs. Feed the fry infusoria-type foods first, then brine shrimp nauplii.

Compatibility and tank mates

A peaceful community fish for tanks of similar-sized, calm species: other mid-sized tetras, livebearers, danios, rasboras, Corydoras and other peaceful bottom dwellers. Keep it in a proper shoal to avoid fin-nipping, and be cautious with very slow, long-finned fish such as fancy guppies or bettas.

Last updated 4 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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