Diamond Tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri)

Moenkhausia pittieri comes out of a single lake system in Venezuela, and every scale carries a dusting of reflective guanine crystals that throws light back in tiny points, which is exactly the sparkle the common name is chasing. Males run a noticeably longer, more flowing dorsal fin than females once mature, an easy way to sex a group without guesswork. Shoal them under decent lighting and that scattered shimmer reads less like individual fish and more like a moving school covered in glitter.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful, shoaling · Max size: ~2.25" · Min tank: 20 gal · Diet: Omnivore, flake/pellet