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Diamond Tetra

Pittier's Tetra

Family: CharacidaeMoenkhausia pittieriPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Considered the beauty of its genus due to the opalescent shine of its scales, the Diamond Tetra... sparkles like a diamond!

   With green and gold, or orange iridescents on its attractive silvery violet scales, the Diamond Tetra or Pittier's Tetra has a sparkling appearance. You must be patient to fully see this effect however, as this fish doesn't get all of its coloring until it is an adult.

   The Diamond Tetra likes soft peat filtered water with subdued lighting. Once it is established, this fish is extremely hardy and long-lived. It is a good community fish that is very peaceful, but it is also very active. Being on the go all day this fish gets hungry. It must be kept well fed or it may resort to munching on the aquarium plants. It is a good eater and as long as it is doesn't get hungry it will leave the plant decor alone.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The Diamond Tetra, also known as the Pittier's Tetra, was described by Eigenmann in 1920. They are found in South America in the waters of Lake Valencia, Rio Bue, Rio Tiquiriti, and in Venezuela where they feed on worms, crustaceans and insects.

• Scientific Name: Moenkhausia pittieri
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The Diamond Tetra is a stockily built tetra species with a laterally compressed body. It has attractive silvery violet scales and they have green and gold, or orange iridescents which give this fish a sparkling appearance. This 'diamond' effect is develops as it matures, so while it is a juvenile it is rather bland. The eye has a red spot on top.

• Maximum Size: 2.5 inches (6.35 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous the Diamond Tetra or Pittier's Tetra will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

• Diet Type: Omnivore - This fish should be well fed, preferably with a vegetable or leafy diet option to discourage it from eating aquarium plants.
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting - Low lighting and a shadowy dark tank decor brings out the best iridescence on this species.
• Temperature: 72.0 - 82.0° F (22.2 - 27.8° C)
• Range ph: 5.5-7.5
• Hardness Range: 2 - 15 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All

Social Behaviors

   The Diamond Tetra or Pittier's Tetra are generally a good community fish.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
  • Plants: Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

   The dorsal fin of the male is long and flowing. It is also more pointed and is sickle shaped. The female becomes full bodied while the male remains more slender.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Recommended conditions: less than 4° dGH. Start with a dark tank and gradually increase the light level to induce spawning.
   The Diamond Tetra or Pittier's Tetra are egg layers. They are considered moderately easy to breed, with the biggest challenge being getting proper pairs together. They must be paired with the same size and age. Most breeding failures have been a result of mismatched pairs

   See the description of how to breed these fish in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

• Ease of Propagation: Moderate

Availability

   The Diamond Tetra or Pittier's Tetra is readily available.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.

• Diamond Tetra : $1.99

Moenkhausia Pittieri Diamond Tetra Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $1.99

Lastest Comments on Diamond Tetra View all 4 comments on Diamond Tetra Add Your Comment

Brensters - 2011-10-13 I bought three (all they had) of these tetras a few days ago to go into my planted 32 gal. fully [fishless] cycled tank. Luckily they happened to be almost fully grown which is apparently when they show there true beauty.I can't describe how thrilled and elated I am to have gotten them. They settled in right away as if to say 'ok so what's there to eat around here'? They are hillarious to watch, with their funny and interesting antics. One minute swimming together as best buds, then sneaking up on each other for a suprise joust.So entertaining and so much facsinating personality. Never really agressive, just goofy and leaves other fish alone, even my tiny neons. They'll eat anything. And their beauty is astounding! They look like they were dipped in some craft sparkles, LOL. I'm going to get more to make a bigger school!! I HIGHLY recommend these fish. Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-10-14 Gee, sounds like my humans birds. Reply

Jared - 2010-09-14 Hey- Today is Tuesday and I got my first tank on Saturday. The fish came on Sunday, 2 of them being diamond tetras. We were told that these fish would be OK with the other choices of fish we had(4). But, this morning, one of the diamond's was found dead on the bottom of the tank. Since we got them into the tank, they haven't really eaten, been active, or swam forcefully. They just kind of lag around and float in a pair. We need to know why!! We can't get any more until the Nitrogen Cycle ends, but we would like to know if getting more diamond's is a good choice based on what happened 2 days after getting them. Click For Replies (2) Michael - 2010-11-12 Diamonds are a fine choice but I wouldn't add anything until the nitrogen cycle is fully working. I highly recommend fishless cycling. It's really easy with a test kit, a bottle of ammonia, and some time. Johann - 2010-11-18 I think your problem would be putting fish in the tank too soon. You should let the tank cycle, without any fish, for at least a couple weeks. Reply

Celina - 2009-09-10 Hello! I just bought two of these beauties and aren't sure how to tell if they're male or female. Reply

Veronica - 2008-08-21 I got a few of these by accident in a large group of Lemon Tetras. Now I buy them on purpose! They are really lovely fish when full grown and even stand up to my bully Angelfish and Pakistani loaches. Everyone asks what they are since they flash and sparkle gold, violet, and green. Reply

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