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Diamond Tetra

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Moenkhausia pittieri

Complete Diamond Tetra care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Diamond Tetra

Quick Answer

Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) is a stunning tetra from Lake Valencia in Venezuela. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This omnivore occupies the middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) is a stunning tetra from Lake Valencia in Venezuela. Its scales glitter like diamonds under good lighting.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with dark substrate, floating plants, and dim lighting. They appreciate open swimming areas. Soft, slightly acidic water is best.

Feeding

Omnivorous; accepts flakes, micro pellets, frozen foods, and live foods. A varied diet enhances their iridescence.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in schools of 6+. Good tankmates: other tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful barbs.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Red Eyed Tetra Care Guide: Schooling & Tank Size semanticSimilarity Apistogramma Care Guide: Temperament & Diet semanticSimilarity Banded Corydoras Care Guide: Substrate & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Diamond Tetras should be kept together?
Maintain a minimum school of 8 to 12 individuals in a tank of at least 20 gallons (75 liters) with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm). Diamond tetras (Moenkhausia pittieri) have signature sparkling reflective scales that develop best in groups of 10+. Groups under 6 cause faded coloration, fin-nipping, and chronic hiding. Maintain a 1 male to 2 female ratio; males display longer flowing fins when competing. Provide dense plant cover (Amazon swords, Java fern) and dark substrate. Tank length must exceed 30 inches (75 cm) for their active swimming.
What are the exact water parameters for Diamond Tetras?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.5, General Hardness 3 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 2 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 80 - 200 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 160 - 400 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 80°F (22°C - 27°C). They prefer soft, slightly acidic water but adapt to neutral tap water. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge or HOB filter with moderate flow. Add driftwood and Indian almond leaves to enhance diamond coloration. Hardness above 12 dGH reduces scale iridescence.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Diamond Tetras?
They are omnivores requiring 35% protein, 10% fat, 55% plant matter. Feed premium tropical flake food, micro pellets, frozen daphnia, baby brine shrimp, and bloodworms twice daily. Offer spirulina flakes and blanched spinach weekly. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) but sensitive to formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with methylene blue for 7 days. They are susceptible to ich; treat with malachite green at half-dose (0.05 mg/L).
How to breed Diamond Tetras in captivity?
Select 10-12 mature fish (1 year old) and condition with live blackworms and brine shrimp for 2 weeks. Set up a 20-gallon (75 liter) breeding tank with 5 inches (12 cm) of water (pH 6.5, dGH 4, 78°F/25.5°C), a spawning mop, and fine-leaf plants. Simulate dawn with gradual light. Spawning occurs in the morning; female lays 200-400 adhesive eggs. Remove parents after 4 hours. Eggs hatch in 24-36 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry feed on infusoria for 3 days, then microworms, then baby brine shrimp after day 7.

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