Black Diamond Tetra

Black Diamond Tetra is a striking freshwater schooling fish valued for its dark metallic body tone, elegant swimming style, and strong contrast in planted aquariums. Often associated with the Bahia Black Diamond Tetra, this fish is best suited for aquarists who enjoy active mid-water shoals and want something more unusual than common tetra varieties. When kept in a proper group, the fish shows better confidence, tighter schooling behaviour, and richer coloration.

This tetra works especially well in community setups with soft décor, driftwood, live plants, and open swimming space. Its overall look is subtle rather than flashy, but the deep blackish sheen and reflective scales give it a premium display quality under aquarium lighting. Stable water, clean filtration, and a peaceful environment help this fish settle well and show natural behaviour.

Key Features

• Appearance: Deep smoky to blackish body coloration with a refined tetra shape and attractive metallic sheen.
• Size: Usually sold as small aquarium specimens and can grow to around 4 to 5 cm in good conditions.
• Colors: Dark charcoal, silver-black, and reflective diamond-like highlights depending on light and mood.
• Lifespan: With stable care, quality food, and regular maintenance, they may live around 3 to 5 years.
• Temperament: Peaceful, active, and social; best kept in a group of at least 6, though larger schools look more natural.
• Water Type: Freshwater community fish suitable for planted and softscape aquariums.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: A minimum of 45 to 60 litres is recommended for a small group, with larger tanks preferred for better schooling and stability.
• Water Parameters: Ideal temperature is 23 to 27°C with pH around 6.0 to 7.5 and low to moderate hardness.
• Diet: Accepts quality micro pellets, crushed flakes, and occasional frozen or live foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworms.
• Tank Mates: Suitable with other peaceful community fish like rasboras, small barbs, Corydoras, pencilfish, and calm dwarf cichlids.
• Care Tips: Keep them in groups, avoid aggressive tank mates, maintain regular water changes, and provide shaded areas with plants for comfort.
• Aquascape Preference: Looks best in planted tanks with dark substrate, driftwood, and open mid-water swimming zones.

For best results, introduce Black Diamond Tetra only into a cycled aquarium with stable water conditions. Because this is a schooling tetra, buying a group rather than a single fish gives better colour, reduced stress, and a much more attractive display in the aquarium.