🐡 Pea Puffer Care Guide (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)

🌟 Overview The Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), also called the Dwarf Pufferfish, is the smallest freshwater puffer in the world. Known for its curious personality, bold behavior, and bright golden-green coloration, it makes a unique addition to a nano aquarium. Though tiny, Pea Puffers have big personalities and require specialized care.

🔑 Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus
• Common Names: Pea Puffer, Dwarf Pufferfish, Pygmy Puffer
• Origin: Rivers and lakes of Southwest India
• Size: 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm)
• Lifespan: 4–5 years with proper care
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial
• Care Level: Intermediate

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (solo or small group)
• Water Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
• pH: 7.0–8.0
• Hardness: 5–15 dGH
• Aquascape: Heavily planted with caves, rocks, and hiding places for territories
• Filtration: Gentle flow – avoid strong currents

🍽️ Diet

• Pea Puffers are strict carnivores and will not thrive on flakes or pellets alone. They need a live and frozen food diet, such as:
• Snails (helps wear down sharp teeth)
• Bloodworms
• Brine shrimp
• Daphnia
• Blackworms
• Cyclops
• Feeding a varied diet ensures good health, activity, and sharp colors.

🧑🤝🧑 Tank Mates

• Best in a species-only tank or with very careful tank mate choices.
• May nip fins of slow or long-finned fish.
• Snails and shrimp are often viewed as food.
• If mixing with other fish, consider fast, peaceful nano species in larger setups.

🧠 Behavior & Tips

• Highly intelligent and interactive with their keepers.
• Best kept in groups of one male to multiple females to reduce aggression.
• Provide dense plants and line-of-sight breaks to manage territorial disputes.
• Keep tanks covered – they may jump.

❓ FAQ

Q: Are Pea Puffers hard to care for?
A: They need more attention than most nano fish due to their specialized diet and semi-aggressive nature, but they’re very rewarding to keep.

Q: Can I keep multiple Pea Puffers together?
A: Yes, but only in a large enough tank (15–20 gallons+). Provide plenty of plants and hiding spots to reduce aggression.

Q: Do Pea Puffers need snails?
A: Yes, feeding snails helps keep their constantly growing teeth trimmed and prevents dental problems.

Q: How long do Pea Puffers live?
A: With proper care, 4–5 years.