Pea Puffer: Tank Size, Tank Mates and How Many to Keep

Pea puffers are the size of a pea and have the attitude of a guard dog. They are smart and fun to watch, but they bite fins, so they are best kept on their own.

Adult size
1 in2.5 cm
Smallest tank
10 gallons38 liters
How many
One or more
Temperature
75–82 °F24–28 °C
pH
6.8–8
Temperament
Aggressive
Swims
In the middle
Heater needed
Yes

What size tank does a pea puffer need?

At least 10 gallons (38 liters). The smallest standard tank that works is the 10 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable. We give the size for an adult fish, because the small fish in the shop will grow. Scientific name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus.

How many pea puffers in each tank size?

This is how many each standard tank carries comfortably if pea puffers are the only fish in it. Share the tank with other species and the number goes down.

TankHow many pea puffers
5 gallonToo small
10 gallon1
20 gallon longup to 3
29 gallonup to 4
40 gallon breederup to 7
55 gallonup to 10
75 gallonup to 14
125 gallonup to 24

Check pea puffers against your own tank and other fish

Good to know

  • Best in a species-only tank; add 19 L (5 gal) for each extra puffer.
  • It nips fins. Avoid slow tankmates with long, flowing fins.

Tank mates for pea puffers

Pea puffers bite the fins of other fish, even much bigger ones. Keep them in a tank of their own, with plants to break up their view of each other.

Questions and answers

What size tank does a pea puffer need?

At least 10 gallons (38 liters). The smallest standard tank that works is the 10 gallon. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.

How many pea puffers should be kept together?

One is fine. A pea puffer does not need company, though a large enough tank can hold more than one.

Can pea puffers live in a 10 gallon tank?

Yes. One pea puffer does well in a 10 gallon tank.

What temperature do pea puffers need?

75–82 °F (24–28 °C), with a pH of 6.8–8. In most homes that means a heater.

Can pea puffers live with a betta?

It is not a good match. Pea puffers bite the fins of other fish, even much bigger ones.

More fish

Adult size, tank size and water ranges follow the mainstream care consensus (Seriously Fish species profiles and FishBase maximum lengths). Where sources differ we use the more cautious figure. Stocking numbers come from our stocking calculator.