Pea Puffer - Dwarf Pufferfish - Carinotetraodon Travancoricus

The Pea Puffer, also known as the Dwarf Pufferfish, is one of the smallest freshwater puffers in the world — but don’t let the size fool you. These tiny fish are packed with personality. With bright yellow-green bodies covered in dark spots and expressive, independently moving eyes, they quickly become the centerpiece of any nano aquarium.

Despite their small size, Pea Puffers are moderate to advanced in care due to their territorial nature and specific feeding needs. They are intelligent, curious hunters that actively explore their surroundings and interact with their environment.

Care Requirements:

• Tank Size:
  • 10 gallons for 1–3
  • 20+ gallons for small groups

• Temperature: 24–28 °C

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Temperament: Territorial, can be aggressive

• Diet: Carnivore — frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and live foods (rarely accept dry food)

Behavior & Compatibility:

Pea Puffers are not typical community fish. They may nip fins and harass slower tankmates. For best results, they are often kept:

• In species-only setups, or

• With very fast, non-fin-nipping fish in larger, heavily planted tanks (with caution)

They thrive in densely planted aquariums with driftwood, rocks, and visual barriers that break lines of sight and reduce territorial disputes. The more cover provided, the more confident and natural their behavior becomes.

Additional Notes:

• They do not require brackish water (fully freshwater species).

• Excellent for pest snail control.

• Best kept in stable, well-maintained tanks due to their sensitivity to poor water quality.

A tiny but bold freshwater predator with vibrant color and oversized personality — perfect for well-planted nano aquariums and experienced hobbyists.