Diamond Tetra Breeding Guide

Moenkhausia pittieri scatters eggs over fine-leaved plants in soft acidic water; remove the adults, as eggs hatch in 24-36 hours and fry swim in 3-4 days.

Overview

Moenkhausia pittieri is a South American characin that grows to about 6 cm standard length and reproduces as an egg-scatterer over fine-leaved plants. It can be bred either as a single pair or in a group, and adults readily eat their own eggs, so a dedicated spawning setup gives the best results.

Sexing

Males are larger and more slender with a greater proportion of reflective scales and develop extended, violet-sheened ventral, dorsal and anal fins. Female fins remain almost entirely clear, and ripe females become noticeably rounder with eggs.

Conditioning

Condition the breeders on small live foods until females are visibly egg-laden and males show peak colour. Spawning can be carried out in a small group of around six pairs or as a single selected pair.

Breeding Setup

Use a separate, dimly lit spawning tank furnished with fine-leaved plants such as Java moss or spawning mops, or a mesh that lets eggs fall through out of the adults' reach. Soft, acidic water around pH 5.5-6.5 and gH 1-5 at roughly 27-29 C, with gentle, peat-filtered sponge filtration, sets the conditions for spawning.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Introduce the conditioned fish to the spawning tank in the evening; spawning typically follows the next morning, with eggs scattered among the plants or dropping through the mesh.

Egg & Fry Care

Remove the adults immediately after spawning to prevent egg predation. The eggs hatch in about 24-36 hours, and the fry become free-swimming roughly 3-4 days later. Start the fry on infusoria-type foods, then move them on to microworm and brine shrimp nauplii as they grow.

Common Challenges

The principal challenges are egg predation by the adults and the need for soft, acidic water to trigger and sustain a spawn. Prompt removal of the breeders and clean, gently filtered water are the main factors in raising a viable batch of fry.