Diamond tetras with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 27, 2026Research-based

The diamond tetra is a deep-bodied South American characin whose adults are covered in glittering, reflective scales, set off by a red eye (Seriously Fish, Practical Fishkeeping). It is Makunaima pittieri, long sold as Moenkhausia pittieri, and it is endemic to Lake Valencia and nearby waters in Venezuela (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics). Most diamonds in the trade are bred on commercial farms in Eastern Europe or the Far East (Seriously Fish). Shops usually sell them as plain, silvery juveniles; Practical Fishkeeping calls them ugly ducklings that turn into stunning fish after a few months.

Diamond tetra at a glance

Will diamond tetras eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: usually safe, with caveats. None of our sources tested diamonds with shrimp. Aquarium Co-Op says to avoid medium to large fish with cherry shrimp, and Practical Fishkeeping's Nathan Hill personally counts the larger tetras among fish that will eventually eat shrimp. In our reading a 2.4-inch tetra is unlikely to tackle a full-grown female cherry, but small males and freshly molted shrimp are more exposed.
• Shrimplets: expect them to be eaten. Neale Monks at Practical Fishkeeping says pretty much any active fish, even one as small as a tetra, views hatchling shrimp as food, and Seriously Fish recommends small live foods such as Daphnia and brine shrimp for diamonds.
• Eggs and berried females: eggs are safe while carried under the tail.

Seriously Fish notes the diamond's reputation as a fin nipper, which a group of 6 to 8 usually keeps within the shoal. In our reading, a fish that nips at fins will also pick at a small shrimp in open water. For gentler choices, compare ember tetras with shrimp, green neon tetras with shrimp and emperor tetras with shrimp, or see the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

Seriously Fish lists 75–82 °F, pH 5.5–7.0 and 5–12 dGH, and Maidenhead Aquatics says soft, slightly acidic water is best long-term. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison, about 75–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.0 and GH 5–8 suits both. Crystal and other Caridina want soft, acidic water but prefer it cooler (see crystal red shrimp care), so we would keep them in their own tank (our reading). See shrimp tank pH, GH and KH explained and shrimp water parameters.

Tank size and setup

• Size: Seriously Fish suggests a base of about 24 × 15 in, about 18 US gallons, for a small group.
• Densely planted, not too bright: Seriously Fish says diamonds dislike very bright or bare tanks and show their best color in a densely planted one; Maidenhead Aquatics adds rooted and floating plants and dark decor. Dense moss gives shrimp places to hide (Aquarium Co-Op). See java moss for shrimp and best plants for shrimp tanks.
• Keep nitrate low: Maidenhead Aquatics says diamonds are sensitive to nitrate build-up and need consistently good water, which suits shrimp too. See nitrate in a shrimp tank and shrimp tank water changes.
• Shrimp-safe intake: a sponge filter or pre-filter keeps shrimplets out of the intake (our suggestion). See shrimp-safe filters.

Group size and behavior

Seriously Fish says a shoal of at least 6 to 8 usually keeps squabbling within the group, and that diamonds are skittish when kept in too few numbers. Maidenhead Aquatics recommends 6 or more and says colors improve with age and are best when both sexes are present. Males are larger, with more of the sparkly scales and long, violet-tinted fins (Seriously Fish); Practical Fishkeeping describes rival males flaring their fins and circling each other.

Other tankmates

Seriously Fish pairs diamonds with livebearers, danionins, rasboras, other tetras, Corydoras, small Loricariids, most gouramis and dwarf cichlids. Maidenhead Aquatics says a community with no long-finned fish, because of the fin-nipping risk. Cichlids hunt shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op), so in a shrimp tank stick to small catfish and peaceful small fish. See corydoras with shrimp, otocinclus with shrimp and rummy-nose tetras with shrimp.

Feeding both

Seriously Fish says diamonds are easy to feed and recommends regular small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Daphnia and brine shrimp alongside flakes and granules. Maidenhead Aquatics lists flake, micropellets and small frozen foods. Feed the tetras first at the surface, then drop sinking shrimp food into a planted corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

How to add diamond tetras to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests letting the shrimp colony build up before adding fish; hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses.
• Consider bigger shrimp. Neale Monks suggests larger shrimp such as Amanos when the fish are likely to eat babies. See Amano shrimp care.
• Acclimate slowly to your water. See how to drip acclimate.
• Watch shrimp numbers for the first few weeks, especially after molts.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Expecting a breeding cherry colony to keep growing alongside a school of diamonds.
• Buying two or three; Seriously Fish says 6 to 8 or more keeps fin-nipping in check.
• Passing them over in the shop because juveniles look dull; Practical Fishkeeping says the sparkle comes with age.
• Adding long-finned fish, which Maidenhead Aquatics advises against.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will diamond tetras eat cherry shrimp?

They will eat shrimplets. Full-grown cherry shrimp are usually too big for a 2.4-inch tetra in our reading, but small or freshly molted shrimp are at risk. We rate them a moderate to high risk.

How big do diamond tetras get?

About 2.4 inches (6 cm) per Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics and Practical Fishkeeping.

What size tank do diamond tetras need?

A base of about 24 by 15 inches, roughly 18 US gallons, for a small group (Seriously Fish).

How many diamond tetras should I keep?

At least 6 to 8 (Seriously Fish). Smaller groups are skittish and more likely to nip fins.

Why does my diamond tetra look dull?

Juveniles are plain and silvery. Seriously Fish and Practical Fishkeeping say the sparkle develops over months with good food and a planted tank.

Is the diamond tetra still called Moenkhausia pittieri?

It is now Makunaima pittieri (Seriously Fish, Maidenhead Aquatics), but many shops still use the old name.

Sources: Seriously Fish, Makunaima pittieri (diamond tetra) (formerly Moenkhausia pittieri; endemic to Lake Valencia, Venezuela; most trade fish farm-bred in Eastern Europe or the Far East; sold as bland silvery juveniles; 60 mm SL; base 60 × 38 cm, about 18 US gal; dislikes bright, sparse tanks, best color in dense planting; 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0, 5–12 dGH, colors best below neutral; easy to feed, small live and frozen foods with flakes and granules; good community fish; tankmates; fin-nipper reputation, group of at least 6–8; skittish in small numbers; males larger with extended violet-tinted fins); Maidenhead Aquatics (fishkeeper.co.uk), Diamond tetra (6 cm; 24–28 °C; pH 5.5–7.0, up to 12 dH; groups of 6 or more; community with no long-finned fish; well planted with rooted and floating plants and dark decor; sensitive to nitrate build-up; colors best with age and both sexes present; flake, micropellets, small frozen foods); Practical Fishkeeping, Community tetras: alternatives to butter (drab juveniles mature into dazzling adults with a red eye; males spar; about 6 cm); Aquarium Co-Op, Cherry shrimp tank mates (avoid medium to large fish; cichlids hunt shrimp; dense foliage hides babies); Practical Fishkeeping, can I safely add some shrimp? (any active fish, even a small tetra, sees hatchling shrimp as food; larger shrimp such as Amanos as an alternative); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (larger tetras and barbs likely to eat shrimp in the author's view; build the colony first; hiding places and well-fed fish reduce losses; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8). The shared water zone, the moderate-to-high shrimp-risk rating and the stocking suggestions are our own.