Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon Travancoricus)

Tiny, feisty, and absolutely irresistible — the Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), also known as the Dwarf Puffer or Malabar Puffer, is the world’s smallest pufferfish and one of the most popular and characterful nano fish in the freshwater hobby. Packed with personality far beyond their diminutive size, Pea Puffers are intelligent, curious, and endlessly entertaining — a true favourite for planted tank enthusiasts.

Overview

Appearance

The Pea Puffer has a rounded, compact body in bright yellow-green with irregular dark brown to black spots and patches across the body. Males display a dark ventral stripe and more intense colouration during breeding condition. Their large, independently moving eyes give them an almost cartoon-like, expressive face that makes them one of the most endearing fish in the hobby. Like all pufferfish, they can inflate their body when stressed.

Water Parameters & Tank Setup

• Temperature: 72 – 82°F (22 – 28°C)
• pH: 6.5 – 8.0
• General Hardness (GH): 5 – 25 dGH
• Tank Size: Minimum 10 gallons for 1–2; 20+ gallons for a group
• Substrate: Fine sand or gravel
• Plants & Decor: Heavily planted tanks with lots of hiding spots; dense vegetation reduces aggression

Diet & Feeding

• Staple: Snails (bladder snails, ramshorn snails) — essential for beak wear
• Treats: Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and small invertebrates
• Note: Pea Puffers have continuously growing beaks that must be worn down by hard foods like snails

Feed 1–2 times daily.

Compatibility & Tank Mates

Best kept in species-only tanks or with very carefully chosen, fast-moving tank mates. They will nip fins and may harass slow or long-finned fish. Suitable companions include fast-moving nano fish and some snail species. Avoid shrimp — they will be eaten.

Breeding

Pea Puffers breed readily in well-planted aquariums. Males court females with a distinctive display and eggs are deposited among plants. Eggs hatch in 5–7 days and fry can be fed infusoria and baby brine shrimp.

The Pea Puffer is a tiny fish with a giant personality — intelligent, curious, and endlessly entertaining. A must-have for the planted tank enthusiast who wants something truly special.