Diamond Moenkhausia

Moenkhausia pittieri — widely sold as the Diamond Tetra — is a jewel of the South American aquarium hobby, originating from the Lake Valencia basin in Venezuela. Every scale on its body reflects light with a brilliant gold, silver, or blue iridescence, creating the sparkling diamond effect that gives the species its common name. It is one of the most dazzling tetras in the hobby.

Diamond Tetras are hardy, adaptable, and easy to keep, tolerating a broad range of water conditions while displaying their best colouration in soft, slightly acidic water with good plant cover and subdued lighting. Males develop spectacular elongated dorsal and anal fins with age, enhancing their appeal considerably. Groups of eight or more bring out competitive display behaviour between males.

Feeding is simple: quality flake, micro-pellets, and frozen foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia are all eagerly accepted. This species is an excellent choice for aquarists of all experience levels.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–15, KH 1–8). Tank: 80 L minimum; planted with open swimming space; subdued lighting to enhance iridescence. Feeding: Quality flake, micro-pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia. Breeding: Egg-scatterer; condition on live foods; soft acidic water; remove adults post-spawning. Compatibility: Peaceful community fish; ideal with other tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and dwarf cichlids.