Pea Puffers Care Guide: Everything You Need! (August 2024)

Ever notice how life’s most exciting moments often come in small packages? The Pea Puffer – an underwater tyke about the size of a…well, a pea – A small but distinctive fish with a strong personality.

But here’s the real stinker – Pea Puffers, despite their tiny size and cheerful demeanor, can turn your dreams of a lively, colorful aquarium into an aquatic version of a murder mystery. One moment, you have a vibrant tank brimming with life and the next, your finned friends are as dull as a Monday morning without coffee.

Feeling glum? Hold on to your net! We’ve got a comprehensive Pea Puffer care guide that’s going to flip that frown right around. From the lowdown on Pea Puffer basics:

• Their looks
• Lifespan
• Growth patterns
• Maintaining their environment
• Setting up the perfect tank
• And selecting their roommates…

Plus, feeding these little nibblers and enticing some puffer-love if you fancy more pea-nned friends.

Remember, a little effort goes a long way, especially when it comes to these cute fish!

Pea Puffer Care and Information

• Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus
• Adult Size: 1 inch 
• Lifespan: 4-5 Years
• Care Level: Medium
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive; Territorial
• Water Temperature: 74-82℉
• Water pH: 7.0-7.5
• Appearance: Yellow-green body with dark spots, eyes have a characteristic “wrinkle” above them
• Diet: Carnivorous
• Tank Size: 5-10 Gallons for a single specimen, more for groups.

Overview of Pea Puffers

Dwarf Pea Puffer, also known as the Indian Dwarf Puffer, are small and unique freshwater fish that are often found in aquariums due to their lively personalities. Unlike many other fish, they have a distinctive appearance and behaviors that set them apart.

WARNING: Pea Puffers can be aggressive towards each other and other fish, especially in confined spaces. It’s essential to provide them with plenty of hiding spots and monitor their behavior to prevent conflicts. Tank mates should be chosen with caution, and in some cases, Pea Puffers might do best in a species-only tank.

Pea Puffer Appearance

These curious freshwater species’ diminutive size doesn’t hinder their appearance, showcasing vibrant green and gold colors with striking black spots. The male pea puffer might also sport some dashing facial lines if you look closely!

Pro Tip: The pea puffer’s unique appearance makes them stand out even in a species-only aquarium, filled with other dwarf pufferfish.

How Long Do Pea Puffers Live?

Your little fish friend will be around to share in your Netflix binges for anywhere from 4 to 5 years, depending on care and water quality. Just don’t ask them for opinions on what to watch next; they tend to be indecisive.

Creating a good habitat, clean water, and a healthy diet can improve their lifespan.

How Big do Pea Puffers Grow?

Pea Puffers are one of the smallest pufferfish, this small fish maxes out at around 1 to 1.5 inches in length. Despite their small size, they are full of personality and can be quite active and curious.

Sexing Pea Puffers

Wondering if your pea pufferfish is a dude or a lady? Look at the belly.

Generally, males tend to be more colorful and have a darker line or “wrinkle” running down their belly, while females might be slightly rounder and less colorful. Observing their behavior can also give clues to their sex, as males might show more territorial tendencies.

Optimal Water Conditions for Pea Puffers

Pea Puffers hail from the freshwater rivers and lakes of South and Southeast Asia, such as India, where the water conditions are unique. To replicate their natural habitat and ensure a healthy environment, attention should be paid to their water parameters.

Temperature: Pea Puffers thrive in water temperatures between 74-82℉. Maintaining this temperature range ensures a comfortable environment that mirrors their native waters. Drastic changes or cooler temperatures may lead to stress and health issues.

pH Level: Pea Puffers prefer slightly acidic to neutral water, with a pH range of 7.0-7.5.

Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water is ideal for Pea Puffers, with a general hardness (GH) of 5-15° and a carbonate hardness (KH) of 4-12°.

Water Quality: Regular monitoring of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels is crucial. Pea Puffers can be sensitive to poor water quality, so aim for 0 parts per million for ammonia and nitrite and keep nitrate levels as low as possible (preferably under 20 ppm).

Remember: Consistent water parameters are key.

1. We recommend: Adjustable Aquarium Heater

To keep your pygmy puffer happy in the optimal temperature range of 74 to 82°F, consider investing in an Adjustable Aquarium Heater, specially designed for small to medium-sized tanks. This handy tool ensures your water stays at a consistent temperature, so your pea puffers always feel at home.

2. We recommend: API Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit

Here’s why this amazing product is essential for your Pea Puffer care routine:

• Comprehensive Testing: This kit provides everything you need to test pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, giving you a complete picture of your water conditions.
• Easy to Use: With straightforward instructions and color-coded charts, even newcomers to fishkeeping can easily track their water parameters.
• Accurate Results: Dependable and precise measurements help you maintain optimal conditions for your Pea Puffers.
• Economical: With materials for over 800 tests, this kit offers excellent value for its price.
• Peace of Mind: Regular monitoring with this reliable kit assists in detecting potential issues early, keeping your Pea Puffers content and healthy.

Tank Setup for Pea Puffer

For a single Pea Puffer, a tank size of at least 5 gallons is recommended. If you plan to keep multiple Pea Puffers, you should provide a larger space, with 10-15 gallons being suitable for a small group.

Remember: they can be aggressive, so watch their behavior and provide ample space for them to establish territories.

Pea Puffer Tank Decorations

The pea puffer aquarium should be an MTV Cribs-worthy spectacle. Lava rock, coarse sand, live plants, and floating plants like water lettuce can all be part of the ensemble.

Here’s a list of tank decorations and essentials that you should consider:

• Plants
• Rocks and Driftwood
• Fine Sand Substrate
• Caves and Hideaways
• Feeding Area
• Heater and Filter
• Live or Artificial Snails

Remember: Thoughtful tank design can help reduce Pea Puffers’ natural territorial behavior. Plenty of hiding spots, barriers, and a well-maintained environment will lead to a happier Pea Puffer.

Compatible Tank Mates for Pea Puffers

Considering other species for your tank? Be careful; pea puffers aren’t huge fans of sharing their toys. Many aquarists view pea puffers as species only tank inhabitants. 

Pea Puffers, while small and charismatic, can be a bit feisty and territorial. Finding suitable tank mates for them requires some careful consideration to ensure a harmonious aquatic environment.

Aggressive or large species should be avoided, as they might either bully or become targets for the Pea Puffers. Also, if kept with other Pea Puffers, sufficient space and hiding spots are necessary to prevent conflicts.

 Good Potential Pea Puffer Tank Mates Include:

• Otocinclus Catfish
• Shrimp (like Cherry Shrimp or Ghost Shrimp)
• Snails (like Nerite Snails or Mystery Snails)
• Small, Non-Aggressive Rasboras
• Non-Nippy Tetras (such as Ember Tetras)

 Steer Clear of These Tank Mates:

• Large Cichlids
• Barbs (which can be nippy)
• Aggressive Betta Fish
• Any Fish That Might View Pea Puffers as Food

Remember: every Pea Puffer has its personality, and careful observation is required to ensure that all inhabitants of the tank are getting along. If you notice signs of stress or aggression, it might be wise to rethink the tank’s composition.

Pea Puffer Diet

Like that friend who’s always on a new diet trend, pea puffers can be picky eaters. Their carnivorous diet (Frozen Foods & Brine Shrimp) includes freeze-dried foods, frozen bloodworms, and small snails. Yes, they eat small snails.

How Often Should I Feed My Pea Puffer?

Feed them once or twice a day, but remove any uneaten food. They’re neat eaters, not messy ones.

Note: Tank bred dwarf pea puffers might accept dry foods, but wild caught specimens usually stick to live and frozen foods.

Breeding Pea Puffers

Here are 5 Quick Tips for Breeding Pea Puffers:

1. Select Healthy, Compatible Pairs
2. Create a Suitable Environment
3. Offer a Varied Diet
4. Monitor Water Conditions
5. Exercise Patience and Diligence

Note: Breeding Pea Puffers is a complex task and is typically only attempted by experienced aquarists. Their territorial nature and specific requirements make breeding a delicate process.

How Do I Condition Pea Puffers to Spawn?

Conditioning Pea Puffers to spawn involves a combination of proper feeding and the right environment. Offering live foods like snails and maintaining clean water with soft and slightly acidic pH will encourage breeding behavior.

Soft music and candlelight are optional.

How Can I Tell if a Pea Puffer is Pregnant?

Pea Puffers don’t have easily discernible physical changes to indicate readiness to breed. However, a female pea puffer gets plumper (Don’t comment on her weight though; it’s rude.) Males might show increased interest in the female and might be seen following her around the tank.

When ready to spawn, the female will lay her eggs on the underside of a leaf or other surface. The male will then fertilize the eggs.

Raising the Fry

If breeding is successful, be prepared to care for the fry. They will require microscopic live food like infusoria at first, gradually moving to larger food like baby brine shrimp as they grow.

Remember: Like conducting a finely tuned orchestra, breeding Pea Puffers demands patience, careful observation, and attention to detail. If you feel the call to this challenge, arm yourself with knowledge and dedication, and you may find yourself rewarded with the delightful dance of tiny Pea Puffer fry.

Frequently Asked Questions for Pea Puffer Care

Are Pea Puffers Good Beginner Fish?

Oh, you thought getting a Pea Puffer would be like taking the training wheels off your bike? Adorable. They’re a bit high-maintenance. They need specific water conditions and a diet of live foods. So, yeah, while you can handle them as a beginner, you might want to level up your fish parenting skills first.

Note: perfect for freshwater puffer enthusiasts but may require some additional puffer expertise.

Are Pea Puffers Aggressive?

Well, if by ‘aggressive’ you mean ‘has the attitude of a honey badger in a pinata’, then yes. As discussed, they can be territorial and show a little fin-nipping here and there.

A separate tank might be needed if things get rough.

Are Pea Puffers Easy to Breed?

Breeding Pea Puffers isn’t a piece of cake, if that’s what you’re asking. It’s more like making a souffle. Doable, but you need to get everything just right. The environment, the temperature, the pH, the decor, the mood music… you get the idea.

Note: Provide the right environment, and love might blossom.

What is Pea Puffer Disease and How Can it be Prevented?

Well, Pea Puffers can get this pesky little thing called “Pufferfish Disease.”

Symptoms include:

• not eating
• sluggishness
• visible parasites
• odd swimming

Think hangover, but for fish. Regular water changes, a well-maintained tank, and a healthy diet can keep your little guy feeling like a million bucks.

What Should I Do If My Pea Puffer Gets Sick?

If you notice any signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, change in color or unusual swimming behavior, it’s recommended to contact a fish vet immediately. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. At home, ensure that the water quality is optimum and stress-free as poor water conditions are often the root cause of many fish diseases.

WARNING: do not try to treat your Pea Puffer without professional advice, as wrong treatments can exacerbate the problem.

Can Pea Puffers Live in a Community Tank with Other Fish?

Like a frat house for fish, right? In theory, yes.

But Pea Puffers can be a bit feisty. They might decide their tankmates look delicious. Or they might just take issue with sharing their personal space.

How Often Should I Change the Water in my Pea Puffer Fish Tank?

You’re going to want to treat it like the oil in your car. Get in there and change about 25-50% of it every 2 weeks. Your Pea Puffer will thank you.

What is the Difference Between Pea Puffers and Other Pufferfish?

Size and habitat.

Well, size, for starters. Pea Puffers are the Danny DeVito of the pufferfish world. They’re also freshwater fish, whereas many puffers are brackish or saltwater fish. Basically, they’re the quirky cousins in the puffer family.

Can I Keep Pea Puffers Together?

Can you put two divas in the same dressing room? Sure, if you give them enough space. And by space, I mean physical territory in the tank, not the final frontier.

How Many Pea Puffers Should I Keep?

Start with a single pea puffer and add more if you feel adventurous.

Honestly, one can be plenty. Consider this: each Pea Puffer needs about 5 gallons of water. So, it’s like throwing a party. You only invite as many guests as your apartment can hold before the fire marshal gets involved.

And hey, if you’re ready to show your Pea Puffers or aquarium like it’s the red carpet, come join our Facebook group with over 460k+ members and growing!

Saltwater Fish (Beginners) | Mandarin Dragonet

Conclusion

Pea Puffers: they’re the life of the aquarium party, the wild caught pufferfish with a penchant for fine dining, and the tiny fish that could. With a little love, a smidge of humor, and the proper care, you’ll be on your way to becoming the talk of the pea puffer owners’ community.

Now, go forth and build that pea puffer paradise.

Just remember to send us an invite to the housewarming party!