Freshwater Fish
Diamond Tetra.
A subtle stunner — scales that sparkle like diamond dust over a silver body, with the males growing long fins. Peaceful and beginner-friendly; show them off in a school in a planted 20-gallon-plus tank.
We keep this species at our Erie store. Come and see it in the tanks, or call (814) 456-9445 and ask what we have in right now.
Sea Cave keeps this species. You will find these in the tanks at 660 East 14th Street in Erie. We never ship live animals.
- Condition
- new
- Fulfillment
- Local pickup — Erie, PA
We never ship fish, coral, or invertebrates — every animal here is one you meet in person. Each one is acclimated and health-checked in-house before it goes out into the display tanks. This is a species we keep, and what is swimming on any given day changes with the deliveries, so please call (814) 456-9445 before you drive in.
Care at a glance
What to know before you take one home.
- Care level
- Beginner
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Community
- Community safe
- Adult size
- 2.5"
- Min tank size
- 20 gallons
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Scientific name
- Moenkhausia pittieri
Good tank mates
Peaceful and community-safe, so the diamond tetra suits a calm planted community. Pair it with other peaceful schoolers and community fish: small tetras, rasboras, corydoras catfish, and peaceful gouramis all work well. Avoid fin-nippers, much larger or aggressive fish, and anything small enough to fit in its mouth. Keep it in a school of six or more so it feels secure and colors up.
Good to know
The diamond tetra is native to Lake Valencia and nearby waters in Venezuela, and its scales develop their sparkling sheen as the fish matures.
What is in the tanks and each animal's temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for pairing advice.
Good tankmates
Plays well with.
Species we’d keep in the same tank, with why each pairing works. What is in the tanks and each animal’s temperament vary — call (814) 456-9445 for advice on pairing.
New to stocking a tank? Read our guide on which fish live together.
Bronze Cory
Peaceful bottom dwellers that occupy the substrate while Diamond Tetras school in mid-water, eliminating direct competition. Seriously Fish explicitly lists Corydoras as compatible, and both species share soft, slightly acidic water requirements.
Harlequin Rasbora
Seriously Fish lists rasboras as compatible with Diamond Tetras. Despite originating from Southeast Asia rather than South America, Harlequin Rasboras share overlapping water parameters (pH 6.0–7.0, 22–28 °C) and a similarly peaceful, mid-water schooling disposition. Size is comparable at roughly 4–5 cm.
Rummy-Nose Tetra
Both are peaceful, similarly sized (~4–5 cm) Amazonian schooling tetras with matching soft, warm water requirements. Aquarium Source recommends other tetra species as compatible, and Rummy Nose Tetras are a classic community pairing with no aggression or parameter conflicts.
- D
Dwarf Gourami
Seriously Fish states Diamond Tetras can be kept with 'the majority of commonly available gouramis.' Diamond Tetras' mild fin-nipping tendency is managed by keeping a proper school of 6–8 individuals, and Dwarf Gouramis lack the extreme trailing finnage (e.g. Betta, Angelfish) that reliably triggers nipping. Water parameters overlap well.
- A
Apistogramma
Seriously Fish explicitly lists dwarf cichlids as suitable companions and notes Diamond Tetras can serve as dither fish. Apistogramma aggression outside of active spawning defense is minimal and is not directed at adult-sized Diamond Tetras (~6 cm). Note: Diamond Tetras will consume Apistogramma fry — this pairing suits community tanks, not dedicated breeding setups.
Visit the store
660 East 14th Street,
Erie, PA.
Mon–Fri 12–6 · Sat 11–4 · Sun closed. Call ahead on livestock — what's on the floor rotates.