Product Details

Diamond Tetra – Makunaima pittieri

The Diamond Tetra is a beautiful South American tetra known for its sparkling, diamond-like scales and elegant adult finnage. Also sold under the older name Moenkhausia pittieri, this peaceful shoaling fish is an excellent choice for mature planted aquariums, especially where subdued lighting, dark décor and a proper group allow its iridescent body colour to shine. Juveniles can look quite plain at first, but adults develop into impressive, glittering community fish.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Diamond Tetra
Other Names: Diamond Characin, Pittier’s Tetra
Scientific Name: Makunaima pittieri
Older / Trade Name: Moenkhausia pittieri
Fish Type: Tetra / Characin
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Makunaima pittieri is native to Venezuela, where it is associated with the Lake Valencia basin and nearby connected waters. Natural habitats include tropical freshwater areas with vegetation, open swimming space and calmer margins where groups can feed on small aquatic invertebrates.

In the aquarium, Diamond Tetras do best in mature planted setups with gentle to moderate flow, clean water and shaded areas. Dark substrate, driftwood, floating plants and leafy cover help the fish feel secure and show stronger colour.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Diamond Tetras have a laterally compressed silver body covered in reflective scales that sparkle gold, green, blue or violet depending on the light. Mature males are usually more impressive, often developing longer dorsal and anal fins and stronger iridescence, while females tend to be fuller-bodied with shorter fins.

Adults usually reach around 5–6 cm, although their deeper body shape and active behaviour make them feel larger than many smaller tetra species. Their full beauty is most visible in mature, settled fish rather than young juveniles.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to peaceful planted community aquariums, South American-style displays and medium-sized tetra communities. It appreciates open midwater swimming space along with plants and shaded areas for security.

Diamond Tetras are generally hardy once settled, but they are best kept in mature aquariums with stable water quality. They are not ideal for tiny tanks, aggressive communities or aquariums with very long-finned slow fish, as mature males may become lively and occasional fin-nipping can occur in cramped or understocked groups.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 90 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 80 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger shoals and mixed community setups.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group helps reduce stress, spreads display behaviour between males and encourages more natural shoaling activity.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.2
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Diamond Tetras prefer clean, stable water and usually show best in soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral conditions. Gentle to moderate filtration, regular water changes and planted cover are recommended. Avoid sudden changes, poor water quality and very hard alkaline extremes.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Diamond Tetras are peaceful community fish when kept in a suitable group and given enough space. Males may display, chase and spar lightly, especially when mature, but this is usually harmless in a good-sized shoal.

Suitable tank mates include other medium peaceful tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf cichlids, cory-type catfish, Otocinclus, small to medium peaceful gourami and other calm community fish. Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, very boisterous barbs and delicate long-finned species that may be stressed or nipped.

Feeding:

Diamond Tetras are omnivorous micropredators. In nature, they feed on small worms, crustaceans, insects and other tiny aquatic foods. In the aquarium, offer quality flakes, micro pellets and small slow-sinking granules as the staple diet.

Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, mosquito larvae and finely chopped bloodworm. A varied diet helps maintain sparkle, body condition and strong adult fin development.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is an active midwater shoaling fish that becomes more confident and colourful in a proper group. Mature males may display to females and rival males by flaring fins and showing stronger body sparkle under good lighting.

Diamond Tetras usually move through open water and planted areas rather than hiding constantly. Breeding may occur in soft, clean water with fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, although adults may eat eggs and fry if they are not separated.

Care Notes:

Add Diamond Tetras only to a mature, stable aquarium. Keep them in a proper group, provide swimming space and avoid housing them with aggressive or delicate long-finned tank mates.

Subdued lighting, floating plants and a darker background help show their best colour. Regular water changes and a varied diet are important, as neglected water quality can quickly reduce colour and condition. This species is usually commercially bred, but its wild range is restricted, so captive-bred stock is preferable where available.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common to occasional / Usually captive-bred or commercially farmed, with wild imports uncommon

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.