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Diamond Tetra

Pittier's Tetra Family: Characidae - Sub-family: Tetragonopterinae

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Moenkhausia pittieri Photo © 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

Distribution:
   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.

Status:
   The species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.

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.

Size - Weight:
  These fish get up to 2.5 inches (6 cm).

Care 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.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: to 15° dGH
   Ph: 5.5 to 7.5
   Temp: (72-82° F) 26-28° C

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

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.

Buy Diamond Tetras From LiveAquaria.com

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

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

Author: David Brough. CFS.

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Latest Comments
Hello! I just bought two of these beauties and aren't sure how to tell if they're male or female. Celina 2009-09-10
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. Veronica 2008-08-21

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