Aquarium culture has increased in the past few years. Many of the new aquarists are wandering the market to learn about the new and populated fish that need low care and low maintenance.
The fish we are going to explore is Pea Puffer. These little fish, which are 1 inch in size, are inhabitants of India in southern India.
They are aggressive in nature, easy to breed, and eat different foods. If you own a puffer fish and do not know about its essential requirements, you will probably lose your aquatic pet.
So, for your ease and to make your aquatic knowledge-rich, here is a comprehensive guide about this fish type including care guide, diet, size, tank setup, & more.
Why not quickly dive in? Let’s go.
Pea Puffer Fish Overview
Pea Puffer (scientific name Carinotetraodon travancoricus) belongs to the Tetraodontiformes family. They are native to freshwater environments in the southwestern tip of India.
They are called by many names by different people in different places. Some common names are Mini Puffer Fish, Pygmy Pufferfish, Malabar Pufferfish, Pea Puffer Fish, and Dwarf Puffer Fish.
These small fish are territorial and aggressive in nature. They like only a few species; therefore, putting them with the tank mates that they want is beneficial. We will reveal their tank takes later in the blog.
Moreover, they have unique attributes for changing body colors. They also change their eye color independently of another eye.
Males are more vibrant, and females are lighter. Moreover, males are shy and tend to spend most of their time alone and in hiding spots, whereas females are less shy and socially easy.
| Attribute | Information |
| Common Name | Pea Puffer Fish |
| Scientific Name | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Origin | South India, Kerala region |
| Temperature | 74°F to 82°F |
| Size | 1- 1.4 inch (2.5 centimeters) |
| Minimum Tank Size | Minimum tank size of 5 gallons, Maximum 10 gallons |
| Food & Diet | Carnivorous: bloodworms, brine shrimp, snails, Daphnia, Small shrimps, Copepods, also eat small insects, larvae, and algae |
| Lifespan | 3 to 4 years |
| Water pH | 7.0 to 7.6 |
| Tank Mates | Snails, shrimp, cory catfish, Neon tetra, Kuhli loach, Otocinclus, Amano shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Rasboras, Danios, and Guppies |
| Breeding | Egg-layers |
| Disease | Ich and bacterial infections |
Lifespan
The lifespan of the Fish typically ranges from around 3 to 4 years. It is in normal conditions that they thrive.
However, the fish’s lifespan totally depends on genetics and the conditions in which they live. Factors such as water quality, diet, and tank environment play crucial roles in determining their life.
With proper care and a suitable environment, dwarf puffers can live up to 5 years.
Appearance
Pea Puffer Fish have a distinctive appearance. Their body starts with a pointed head. And, as we go further back, their rounded body appears to be the biggest at the center. And at dorsal and anal fins, their body becomes smaller and pointy.
Moreover, they have small dorsal and anal fins compared to their body. Along with these features, they have large, bulging eyes positioned on each side of their head. This appearance gives them a charming and expressive look.
When it comes to colors and patterns, they are yellow with black or darker markings and stripes all over the body.
Carinotetraodon puffers display vibrant colors, often with dark golden-green shades and noticeable belly stripes. At the same time, females exhibit lighter tones with lighter markings.
Pea Puffer Size
Pea puffers are the smallest among the other members of their family. Due to their small size, they are called pea puffed or Dwarf puffers.
They can grow up to 1.4 inches in length. The average size of these tiny fish is 1 inch or 2.5 cm only.
As mentioned earlier, their size totally depends on the environment in which they thrive. The more optimal the condition, the bigger their size will be.
Their compact stature makes them well-suited for smaller aquarium setups, but careful consideration must be given to their territorial behavior when selecting tankmates.
Behavior & Temperament
Pea Fish are small in size but more aggressive than bigger fish. They are renowned for their aggressive nature.
Males are more aggressive than females. Therefore, it is advised to keep two female puffers with a single male. Or set this percentage if you have a group of pea puffers. This will set breeding behavior also.
Otherwise, males will bully female puffers. It might cause stress and disease.
Other than that, they are territorial, especially in confined spaces, necessitating strategic tank planning to minimize conflicts.
One thing that is totally impressive about Pea Puffers is that they are highly intelligent and interactive. They observe their surroundings with curiosity and engage in socializing and playful behaviors.
Pea Puffer Food & Diet
Pea Puffers are carnivorous and require a varied diet rich in protein. They eat different types of normal food and frozen food. They like foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, snails, Daphnia, Small shrimps, and Copepods. They also eat also eat small insects, larvae, and algae.
When it comes to their diet, give them high-quality pellets or flake food. Feed them twice a day to provide them with energy. They consume food within 3 minutes. So keep an eye on them. And never overfeed them.
Pea Puffer Tank Mates
Because of Pea Puffers’ territorial behavior and aggressive nature, careful consideration is required when choosing their tank mates.
While they are social creatures, they are best kept in groups. Keep them with fast-swimming and similarly-sized companions to minimize aggression.
The best tank mates for pea puffers are cory catfish, Neon tetra, Kuhli loach, Otocinclus,
Amano shrimp, Bristlenose Pleco, Rasboras, Danios, and Guppies.
Other than these, Ember Tetras, Filament Barb, Zebra Danio, Leopard Danio, Siamese Algae Eaters, Glowlight Tetra, Neon Tetras, Mosquito Rasbora, Harlequin Rasbora, and Dwarf Otocinclus are the best suitable tank mates of these fish.
Note: Avoid larger or slower-moving fish that may become targets of aggression.
Breeding
They are not a hard task as for many other fish species. However, they also require proper tank setup, water temperature, and other essential elements for successful breeding.
You have to keep these things in mind:
For these fish breeding, maintain a constant water temperature around 79°F (26°C). If water temperature is varying or above or lower than this, it might stop or skip breeding.
Moreover, use a sponge filter. A sponge filter will reduce water flow and prevent young fry from being sucked into the filtration system.
Other than that, to give them a more natural look, dense plant cover, such as Java Moss and bogwood, should be used in the breeding tank. A natural look will boost their breeding behavior and it will secure the environment for spawning.
Tank size is also a crucial breeding factor. A 5-gallon breeding tank is sufficient for a male and female pair. When it is time to breed, the male will chase the female until she is ready to lay eggs.
After spawning, it takes around 48 hours for eggs to hatch. Later, the fry will remain attached to the egg yolk for 2-3 days, and then the eggs will soak up.
After the egg separation, feed them with hatched brine shrimp and live infusoria to promote healthy and faster growth.
Care Guide
Dwarf Puffer fishes are hardy fish to keep and require mediocre care. However, like any living organ, they are vulnerable to common freshwater diseases if they are not provided with proper care.
Dwarf pea puffers are aggressive and can fight and bite other tank mates. This issue is common when keeping two male Dwarf Puffers in the same tank.
As males are naturally aggressive, they engage in fights, resulting in biting and fin-nipping. Sometimes, their small fights lead to even bigger injuries.
Small injuries and wounds on these fish lead to infections. These smaller infections at the start can be fatal if left untreated or ignored.
Even a minor scratch can become an infection. Therefore, it is important to avoid putting two or more males together. If kept together, it’s crucial to have a separate tank ready for regular treatment and isolation if necessary.
Moreover, if females are in low quantity, ensure double the number of females in the tans. Otherwise, female fish can feel stress and bullying at the hands of male fish.
Other than keeping and quantity, water temperature is also a considerable aspect of ensuring care.
Water temperature fluctuations compromise the health of these fish. Constant fluctuation weakens fish’s immune system and makes them more fragile to diseases like Ich or White Spot Disease.
White spots on the body characterize this parasitic infection and may cause the fish to exhibit scratching behavior against surfaces. Treatment for Ich is available at pet stores, with medications containing copper sulfate and formalin being effective against the parasite.
Preventive measures for this disease include providing a nutritious diet and performing regular aquarium maintenance to remove leftover food and potential parasitic spores that can affect water quality.
Feeding Dwarf Puffer Fish with immune-boosting foods containing garlic can enhance their resistance to diseases. While commercially bred Pea Puffers readily accept garlic-infused foods, wild-caught specimens may be more reluctant to consume them.
Tank Size
Pea puffers are territorial; therefore, an adequate tank is a must for them.
A minimum tank size of 5 gallons per fish is recommended. For a group of pea puffers, larger tanks, 10 gallons or more, can offer additional room for decoration and tankmates that is necessary for them to thrive happily.
When it is breeding time, a larger tank of 20 gallons or more is necessary to house multiple males and females. Or you can put a pair (male and female) in 5 gallon tank.
Water Parameters
Pea puffers are hard and require low maintenance. However, water temperature maintenance is also a must for these fish.
The suitable temperature for Dwarf pea puffer is between 77-80°F (25-26°C). Moreover, make sure water hardness is set between 5-15 dGH, where ammonia or nitrite levels are zero. Along with it, the water pH level must be 6.5 to 8. 5.
These water parameters are necessary, but regular monitoring of water quality, including ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, is also essential.
Therefore, to attain these preferable water parameters, routine water changes should be performed (20-30% weekly).
| Conditions | Parameters |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallons per fish/ 10 gallons for group |
| Pond Set-Up | Heavily planted |
| Compatible | Tropical freshwater |
| Temperature | 77-80°F |
| pH | 6.5-8.5 |
| Water hardness (dGH) | 5-15 dGH |
What To Put In Their Tank
Pea Puffers love the natural and planted environment. Their aquarium should be decorated with live plants and suitable hiding spots to imitate their natural habitat.
Choose plants that can thrive in freshwater environments, such as Java Moss, Anubias, and Amazon Sword. Put driftwood or caves to create hiding places and territorial boundaries.
In addition to plants and decorations, add a sponge filter of gentle water flow without risking fry getting sucked into the filtration system.
Moreover, keep water temperature fluctuations in mind. Use filters or heaters if necessary.
Common Possible Diseases
Pea Puffers are fragile to common freshwater diseases, including Ich, also called White Spot Disease, and bacterial infections.
Once a pea puffer is ill, it shows symptoms of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and abnormal behavior.
To prevent diseases, maintain clean water conditions, avoid overfeeding, and quarantine new fish before introducing them to the main tank. Moreover, as pea puffers are aggressive, look for a bite or infection and treat it before it gets severe.
Note: do not treat yourself. Consider a vet and use its prescribed medicines and treatments.
Pea Puffer Tank Setup
Pea puffers thrive in their suitable tank setup. To maintain a suitable tank setup for them, keep these things in mind.
Substrate: Use fine gravel or sand to minimize the risk of injury.
Filtration: Install a sponge filter to provide adequate water circulation without causing stress to the fish.
Lighting: Provide moderate lighting to support plant growth and replicate their natural habitat.
Hiding Places: Add driftwood, caves, and plants to create shelter and territorial boundaries to create hiding spaces for them.
Maintenance: Perform regular water changes of about 20 to 30% of water. Substrate vacuuming and plant trimming are used to keep the tank clean and healthy.
Conclusion
Now you know all about Pea Puffers, their setup, care guide, food, diet, and many more. These tiny fish are known for their distinct look and aggressive behaviors. Their males are more aggressive and colorful, while females are timid and lighter.
If you have a pea puffer, with this comprehensive guide, you will look after it and will keep it in the most suitable place so it thrives and breeds.
Now is the time to know about Sevrum Cichlid, etc. So, let’s go.