Pea Puffer Care Guide: Color, Size, Breeding & Tank Mate
If you are looking for a balloon fish in your freshwater aquarium tank, then the pea puffer is the best option for you.
This fish is also known as the dwarf pufferfish, and it is popular for its ability to blow itself up like a balloon when it feels threatened.
The fish is becoming more and more popular with aquarists as the days go by as they can eat small and large snails.
The fish is a great addition to your freshwater tank as it is very peaceful and does not grow too large. It is a good idea to keep at least two of these fish together as they are social creatures.
In this article, I’ll provide detailed information on everything you need to know about pea puffers including their color, size, diet, breeding, and tank mates. Keep reading to learn more about these amazing creatures!
What is A Pea Puffer Fish?
The pea puffer, also known as the green spotted puffer, is a small, freshwater fish that is popular in the aquarium trade.
These fish are native to Africa and Asia and can grow up to 3 inches in length. Pea puffers are characterized by their green coloring and distinctive black spots.
In the wild, pea puffers feed on a variety of items, including insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the aquarium, they can be fed a wide variety of foods, including frozen or live brine shrimp, bloodworms, and pellets.
Pea puffers typically breed in the spring, with females laying eggs on plants or algae. The eggs will hatch within a few days, and the fry will be able to feed on their own.
In general, pea puffers make good aquarium inhabitants and can be kept with other small fish species. However, they should not be kept with fish that are large enough to eat them.
If you’re thinking about adding a pea puffer to your aquarium, be sure to do your research and ensure that you can provide the proper care.
Species overview of Pea Puffer
| Common Names: | Malabar Puffer, Dwarf Puffer, Pea Puffer |
| Scientific Name: | Carinotetraodon travancoricus |
| Origin: | India, Sri Lanka |
| Max Size: | 3” |
| Life Expectancy: | 5 – 8 years |
| Aquarium Level: | Middle – Bottom |
| Temperament: | Peaceful (towards similar-sized tank mates), Semi-aggressive (with other members of the same species) |
| Diet: | Carnivore |
| Tank Temps: | 72°F – 82°F (22.2°C – 27.8°C) |
| pH Levels: | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Min Aquarium Size: | 10 gallons |
| Captive Care Rating: | Easy-Moderate |
The dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is a freshwater fish native to Africa and Asia.
It is a peaceful fish typically found in slow-moving waters and is a popular aquarium fish. The dwarf pufferfish is easy to care for and does well in a community tank.
The Pea Puffer is a small freshwater fish with a round body and blunt head. It has large eyes and a small mouth.
The Pea Puffer is covered in small, sharp spines and is brown or olive green in color with black spots on its body.
The Pea Puffer is a peaceful fish but it can be semi-aggressive with other members of the same species. The Pea Puffer prefers slow-moving waters and a tank with plenty of hiding places.
The temperature they need to survive in an aquarium tank in captivity is 72°F – 82°F (22.2°C – 27.8°C) with a pH level of 6.5 – 7.5 and a water hardness of 5 – 15 dGH.
The Pea Puffer is easy to care for and is a popular aquarium fish. It is important to provide the Pea Puffer with a well-balanced diet of live food, frozen food, and pellets.
The Pea Puffer is not recommended for beginners since it is a delicate fish and can be easily stressed. It is important to provide the Pea Puffer with a good quality water filter and to perform regular water changes.
If you want to own a pea puffer fish, you will have costs associated with setting up a freshwater aquarium and purchasing the necessary supplies. You will also need to factor in the cost of live food for your pea puffer fish.
Original information:
- Color: Black, olive green, or brown with black spots
- Size: Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Diet: Carnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful but semi-aggressive with others of the same species
- Aquarium size: 10 gallons (37.9 L) or larger
- Care level: Easy to moderate
All about Pea Puffer
You may own a few freshwater aquarium fish as well as pea puffer fish. But how much do you know about the pea puffer?
Here lies the main problem. Today I will tell you about the size, lifespan, and appearance of this fish.
Appearance
The pea puffer fish is a small freshwater fish with a round body and blunt head. It has large eyes and a small mouth.
The pea pufferfish is covered in small, sharp spines and is brown or olive green in color with black spots on its body.
The head and mouth of the fish are unusually small compared to the body. There are 2 large eyes on the top of the head. The mouth is located at the bottom of the head.
The body is compressed laterally with a small, rounded belly. The tail is short and blunt.
The fins are small and transparent. The dorsal fin has 3-4 rays and is located in the middle of the back. The anal fin has 2-3 rays and is located near the tail. The pectoral fins are located on the sides of the body, behind the head.
The pelvic fins are located in front of the anal fin. Males have a pair of modified pelvic fins called claspers, which are used to transfer sperm to females during breeding.
Instead of time, the fish can inflate the gills attached to the stomach like a balloon. The skin of the fish is covered with tiny, sharp spines. These spines can be used for self-defense and to deter predators.
Size
According to the African Fish Research Institute, the maximum size of a dwarf pufferfish is 3 inches (7.5 cm).
According to Fishbase, the maximum size of a male is 1.8 inches (4.6 cm), and the maximum size of a female is 2 inches (5.1 cm).
In a wild or open environment, their size may vary from 1.6 to 3 inches (4 to 7.5 cm). But in captivity in the aquarium, their size is much smaller, and may not grow more than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
Lifespan
On the other hand, according to the 2017 data from the American Fish Research Institute, their lifespan is only 1-2 years.
However, with proper care and maintenance, they can live up to 5 years in captivity. But the pea puffer in my aquarium is about 3 years old and is still alive and healthy.
The lifespan of a pea pufferfish in the wild is not known, but it is probably shorter than in captivity due to predation and other factors.
Behavior
The pea pufferfish is a peaceful fish, but it can be semi-aggressive with other fish of the same species.
It is a slow-moving fish that spends most of its time hiding among plants or in caves. When alarmed, it can inflate its body like a balloon to deter predators.
The pea pufferfish is a timid fish that is easily stressed. It should not be kept with other fish that are much larger than it.
Type of Pea Puffer
You can see how quickly the pea puffer has become the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. There are several types of pea puffer fish found around the world, but subs are not good for aquariums.
Today I will discuss 3 species of pea puffer that can easily adapt to your aquarium tank in a short period of time.
Dwarf Pea Puffer
| Native to: | Africa |
| Size: | 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 2-5 years |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10 gallons (37.9 L) |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Breeding: | Egglayer |
| Care Level: | Easy |
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is a peaceful community fish that does well in a densely planted aquarium. It is an active little fish that is always on the move.
The Dwarf Pea Puffer will often perch on plants and rocks and watch for potential prey. This puffer is a very good choice for a beginner as it is not aggressive and is relatively easy to care for.
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is a small, round fish that is covered in dark spots. It has a long, slender snout and large eyes. The dorsal fin is tall and pointed, and the tail fins are rounded.
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is native to Africa. It is found in slow-moving waters, such as ponds and streams.
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is an omnivore and will eat a variety of foods, including live, frozen, and flake foods. It is important to provide a varied diet to keep this fish healthy.
If you are interested in breeding the Dwarf Pea Puffer, it is best to purchase a group of juveniles. The female will lay her eggs in a plant or piece of driftwood. The male will then fertilize the eggs.
The fry is very small and will need to be fed baby brine shrimp or other tiny foods. They should be kept in a separate tank until they are large enough to not be eaten by their parents or other fish.
The Dwarf Pea Puffer is easy to care for and makes a great addition to a peaceful community aquarium. It is an active little fish that will provide hours of enjoyment.
Green Pea Puffer
| Native to: | South America |
| Length: | 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) |
| Diet: | Omnivorous, but prefer a diet rich in vegetables and meat |
| Tank Size: | Minimum of 5 gallons per puffer fish |
| Care Level: | Intermediate |
| Temperament: | Peaceful with other tough fish, territorial with the same species |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
| Origin: | South America |
| Family: | Tetraodontidae |
The Green Pea Puffer has a green body with black spots. Its head and tail are pointed. It has large eyes and a beak-like mouth. This fish can inflate itself when necessary.
It is a peaceful fish, but it can be territorial with other Green Pea puffers. This pufferfish is native to South America and prefers to live in slow-moving waters.
It is an omnivore, but its diet should be rich in vegetables and meat. In the wild, it feeds on small invertebrates, crustaceans, and plants. You can feed it blanched vegetables, frozen or live food.
This puffer fish is easy to care for, but it requires a minimum tank size of 5 gallons per fish. It is also important to provide plenty of hiding places in the aquarium.
Green Pea Puffers are beautiful and peaceful fish that make great additions to aquariums. With the proper care, they can live for several years.
Spotted Pea Puffer
| Original Residence: | Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos) |
| Diet: | Omnivore |
| Size: | 1.5-3 inches (4-7.6 cm) |
| Lifespan: | 5-8 years in captivity; wild unknown |
| Tank Size: | 20 gallons (75.7 L) |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
The Spotted Pea Puffer is a freshwater pufferfish that originates from Asia. It grows to be 1.5-3 inches (4-7.6 cm) long and has a lifespan of 5-8 years in captivity; wild unknown.
This fish is omnivorous and its diet consists of both meat and plants. In the wild, their diet includes small crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. They will also consume algae and other plant matter.
The Spotted Pea Puffer is a peaceful fish that does well in a community tank as long as it is the only pufferfish. It should be kept in a tank that is at least 20 gallons (75.7 L) with plenty of hiding places and smooth, rounded gravel.
This pufferfish gets its name from the spots on its body. The spots are dark brown or black and contrast against the fish’s light beige or white body. Some Spotted Pea puffers also have stripes that run vertically down their body.
The Spotted Pea Puffer is a shy fish and it can be easily scared by loud noises or sudden movements. It is important to make sure that the tank is quiet and peaceful so the fish feels comfortable.
This fish is not recommended for beginners because it is sensitive to changes in water quality and it can be difficult to care for.
It is important to do research before getting this fish to make sure you are prepared to provide the proper care.
Is Pea Puffer Poisonous???
No, the Pea Puffer is not poisonous. It is a peaceful fish that is easy to care for and makes a great addition to a community aquarium.
It is important to provide plenty of hiding places and smooth, rounded gravel for this fish. It is also important to make sure the tank is quiet and peaceful so the fish feels comfortable.
However, the saltwater marine pea puffer is poisonous and should not be confused with the freshwater Pea Puffer.
The marine pea puffers contain a toxin in their skin and organs that can be fatal to humans if ingested.
These fish are also known as “tiger Toby” or “dogface puffer”. They are found in tropical waters around Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Australia.
If you are looking for freshwater fish, the Pea Puffer is a good choice. But if you want a saltwater fish, make sure to get the marine pea puffer.
5 Personality of the Pea Puffer
Now you know 3 things about the Pea Puffer: its appearance, where it comes from, and what it eats. But what else is there to know about this fish?
Here are 5 personality traits of the Pea Puffer:
Curious: Pea Puffers are curious fish and they will often swim up to the glass to see what’s going on outside of their tank. They are also known to be very active and playful.
Intelligent: Pea Puffers are intelligent fish and they can learn tricks and tasks quickly. They are also known to be very good at problem-solving.
Friendly: Pea Puffers are generally peaceful and gentle fish. They get along well with other fish in a community tank and they are known to be good tank mates.
Bold: Pea Puffers are bold fish and they are not afraid to explore their tank. They are also known to be very curious and they will often swim up to the glass to see what’s going on outside of their tank.
Outgoing: Pea Puffers are outgoing fish and they enjoy being around other fish. They are also known to be very playful and active.
Care guide for Pea Puffer
As we mentioned before, the Pea Puffer is a curious and active fish. They are also known to be very bold and outgoing.
Because of their personality traits, it’s important to provide them with a tank that has plenty of hiding places and smooth, rounded gravel.
It’s also important to make sure the tank is quiet and peaceful so the fish feels comfortable.
However, even though the Pea Puffer is a peaceful fish, it is important to keep an eye on them when they are around other fish.
This is because they have been known to nip at the fins of other fish. So, if you do put them in a community tank, make sure to put them with fish that are bigger than them.
The Pea Puffer is a sensitive fish and it can be difficult to care for. So, if you are thinking about getting one, make sure to do your research first. And, as always, consult with a professional before making any decisions.
The Pea Puffer is a freshwater fish that originates from tropical waters. Because of this, they prefer warm water with a temperature between 73 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
They also prefer a pH level between 6.5 and 7.5 and a water hardness of 5 to 15 dH. It’s important to maintain these water conditions in their tank so they can stay healthy and happy.
The Pea Puffer is a small fish, but it still needs a lot of space. They should be kept in a tank that is at least 10 gallons, but 20 gallons is even better.
It’s important to have a lot of space in their tank because they are active fish and they like to swim around. They also need plenty of hiding places, so we recommend adding lots of plants and decorations to their tank.
| Minimum tank size: | 10 Gallons |
| Tank Type: | Freshwater |
| Tank Temperature: | 73-82 degrees Fahrenheit |
| pH Level: | 6.5-7.5 |
| Water Hardness: | 5-15 dH |
| Water Flow: | Moderate |
Tank Mates
The Pea Puffer is a peaceful fish, but it can be aggressive towards other fish if they are smaller than them. For this reason, it’s important to only put them with fish that are bigger than them.
Some good tank mates for the Pea Puffer include:
Some fish that should not be kept with a Pea Puffer include:
As we mentioned before, the Pea Puffer is a sensitive fish and it can be difficult to care for.
So, if you are thinking about getting one, make sure to do your research first. And, as always, consult with a professional before making any decisions.
Feeding Your Pea Puffer
| Protein: | 0.6% |
| Fat: | 0.3% |
| Fiber: | 2.0% |
| Moisture: | 79.5% |
| Ash: | 2.9% |
| Calcium: | 0.16% |
| Phosphorus: | 0.05% |
| Minerals | 0.13 mg/kg |
| Vitamin A: | 500 IU/kg |
| Vitamin B12: | 0.03 mg/kg |
| Vitamin D3: | 50 IU/kg |
| Vitamin E: | 10 IU/kg |
The Pea Puffer is a carnivore and its diet should consist mostly of meat. They like to eat small invertebrates, such as shrimp, snails, and worms.
You can also feed them frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. It’s important to only feed them small amounts of food at a time because they have small stomachs.
We also recommend feeding them multiple times a day instead of just once. This is because they are small fish and they need to eat small meals throughout the day.
As we mentioned before, the Pea Puffer is a small fish and it needs to eat small meals during the day. We recommend feeding them 2-3 times a day.
What Should You Avoid Feeding Them?
There are some foods that you should avoid feeding your Pea Puffer. These include:
- Plants
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Grains
- Bread
You should also avoid feeding them processed foods, such as pellets and flakes. This is because these foods contain fillers and additives that can be harmful to your fish.
Breeding Your Pea Puffer
Breeding your Pea Puffer can be a difficult process and it’s important to make sure that everything is done correctly.
First, you need to make sure that the water conditions in their tank are perfect. The temperature should be between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the pH level should be between 6.5 and 7.5.
The water hardness should also be between 5 and 15 dH. Once you have the perfect water conditions, you need to add a male and female Pea Puffer to the tank.
It’s important to only add one male and one female because they can be aggressive towards each other. Once you have added the fish to the tank, you need to wait for them to mate.
This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once the female is ready to lay her eggs, she will do so on a plant or decoration in the tank.
After she lays the eggs, you need to remove the male from the tank because he will eat them. Once the eggs have been laid, you need to wait for them to hatch.
This can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. After the fry has hatched, you need to remove the female from the tank because she will eat them.
You also need to make sure that there is plenty of food in the tank for the fry to eat. We recommend using fine-grained food, such as brine shrimp or daphnia.
You should also avoid using live foods because they can contain parasites that can harm your fish. Once the fry has grown big enough, you can add them to their own tank.
Raising the fry can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but it’s important to make sure that everything is done correctly.
I hope that this article has helped you and that you will have success in breeding your Pea Puffer.
A common disease of Pea Puffer
The most common disease of Pea Puffer is Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, more commonly known as ich or white spot disease. This disease is caused by a protozoan parasite that infects the fish’s skin and fins.
Symptoms of this disease include white spots on the fish’s body, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If left untreated, this disease can be fatal.
Fortunately, there are a few different treatments that you can use to get rid of this disease. The most common treatment is to raise the temperature of the water in the tank to 86 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 days.
You can also treat your fish with a copper-based treatment. However, this treatment can be harmful to plants and invertebrates, so you should only use it if you absolutely have to.
Another common disease of Pea Puffer is a bacterial infection. This infection is usually caused by poor water quality or a wound on the fish’s body.
Symptoms of this disease include red or swollen skin, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If left untreated, this disease can be fatal.
Fortunately, there are a few different treatments that you can use to get rid of this disease. The most common treatment is to add an antibiotic to the tank.
You can also treat your fish with a copper-based treatment. However, this treatment can be harmful to plants and invertebrates, so you should only use it if you absolutely have to.
If you think that your fish has a disease, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. The earlier the disease is caught, the easier it will be to treat.
How to Add Pea Puffer to Your Aquarium Tank?
Adding a Pea Puffer to your aquarium can be a great way to add some color and personality to your tank. But before you add one to your tank, there are a few things that you need to know.
In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to add a Pea Puffer to your aquarium. We’ll also give you some tips on how to care for your new fish.
Before you add a Pea Puffer to your aquarium, you need to make sure that the water conditions in your tank are perfect.
The ideal water temperature for Pea Puffer is 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal pH level is 7.0-8.0. And the ideal water hardness is 10-20 dH.
You also need to make sure that your tank is big enough for a Pea Puffer. The minimum tank size for a Pea Puffer is 10 gallons.
Once you’ve made sure that the water conditions in your tank are perfect, you’re ready to add a Pea Puffer to your aquarium.
The best way to add a Pea Puffer to your aquarium is by using a method called acclimation.
Acclimation is the process of slowly getting your fish used to the water conditions in your tank.
To acclimate your Pea Puffer, you need to float the sealed bag that they came in on top of your aquarium for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, you can open the bag and let some of the water from your aquarium into the bag.
You should do this every 10 minutes for an hour. After an hour, you can release your Pea Puffer into your aquarium.
Now that you know how to add a Pea Puffer to your aquarium, let’s take a look at some tips on how to care for your new fish.
The most important thing that you need to do is to keep the water conditions in your tank perfect.
You should test the water in your aquarium every week and make sure that the pH level is between 7.0-8.0 and the water hardness is between 10-20 dH. You should also change the water in your aquarium every week.
It’s also important to feed your Pea Puffer a high-quality diet. The best diet for a Pea Puffer is live food, such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
You should also supplement their diet with freeze-dried foods. You can find high-quality freeze-dried foods at your local pet store.
If you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to have a happy and healthy Pea Puffer in your aquarium.
Which Reasons You Should Keep Pea Puffer in Your Aquarium?
There are a few different reasons that you might want to keep a Pea Puffer in your aquarium. First of all, Pea Puffers are really cute fish. They have bright colors and interesting patterns.
They’re also really easy to care for. As long as you keep the water conditions in your tank perfect, they will be happy and healthy.
Pea Puffers are also really good at eating unwanted pests in your aquaria, such as snails and algae.
So if you’re looking for a cute and easy-to-care-for fish that can help keep your aquarium clean, a Pea Puffer is a great choice.
History and First Sighting
The first sighting of a Pea Puffer was in 1887 by Dr. Albert Günther. They were found in the rivers of Myanmar which is now modern-day Burma.
He named this new species Tetraodon fluviatilis, and it remained the only known species of river pufferfish until 2006.
In 2006, another river pufferfish was discovered in the same region and was given the name Tetraodon irrubesco.
This new species is very similar to T. fluviatilis, but there are some key differences between the two.
For example, T. irrubesco has a more rounded body shape, and the males have longer fins than the females.
The two species are also found in different parts of Myanmar. T. fluviatilis is found in the Ayeyarwady River, while T. irrubesco is found in the Chindwin River.
Although these two species were only discovered recently, they are already quite popular among aquarium enthusiasts.
This is because they are relatively easy to care for and make great additions to community tanks. They are also very entertaining to watch, as they are constantly on the move and exploring their surroundings.
The Summary
The Pea Puffer is a small, freshwater fish that originates from Myanmar. They are named for their small size and their resemblance to peas.
Pea Puffers are very easy to care for, and they make great additions to community tanks. They are also very good at eating unwanted pests in your aquaria, such as snails and algae.
If you’re looking for a cute and easy-to-care-for fish that can help keep your aquarium clean, a Pea Puffer is a great choice.
If you have any questions about keeping a Pea Puffer in your aquarium, feel free to ask in the comments below and I’ll be happy to help.