Description
Pea Puffer
Pea Puffers are tiny powerhouses full of personality—don’t let their size fool you! With their curious eyes, quirky behavior, and vivid green-and-gold patterning, these freshwater puffers are endlessly entertaining. Unlike most puffers, Pea Puffers can thrive in freshwater nano tanks, making them a unique addition to small aquariums.
Highly intelligent and interactive, Pea Puffers are best suited for aquarists who enjoy engaging with their fish and providing an enriched environment.
Scientific Name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Common Names: Pea Puffer, Dwarf Puffer, Pygmy Puffer
Size: Grows up to 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Color: Golden-green body with dark mottled spots; expressive eyes
Lifespan: Approximately 4–5 years with proper care
Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons for a single fish; add 3–5 gallons per additional puffer
Temperature: 74–82°F (23–28°C)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive; territorial but full of character
Diet: Strictly carnivorous; thrives on a varied diet of live or frozen foods like bloodworms, snails, and brine shrimp. May reject dry food.
Care Tips:
• Best kept solo or in carefully monitored species-only groups
• Requires a well-decorated tank with plenty of hiding spots and plants
• Provide frequent feedings and enrichment to avoid boredom and aggression
• Use a tight-fitting lid—these curious fish are known explorers
• Tank mates should be chosen carefully—best avoided or limited to fast, non-fin-nipping species (like some shrimp or snails, though these may be hunted)
Ideal For:
• Species-only or dedicated freshwater nano setups
• Aquarists who enjoy hands-on care and interactive fish
• Those looking for a unique, intelligent pet with loads of personality
Add a splash of bold attitude to your tank with a Pea Puffer—the tiny predator with a big presence!
Fish Quarantine Process
At 10 Gallon Fish Tanks, we take the health of our fish seriously. Every fish we bring in undergoes a strict 2-4 week quarantine process to ensure they are free of parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial diseases before being introduced to our main tanks.
During this quarantine period, fish are treated with the “Med Trio” as needed:
• Paracleanse – Targets internal & External parasites like worms and protozoans. Things like fish lice, tapeworms, hole in the head, skin and gill flukes.
• Ich-X – Treats external parasites and fungus. Treats Ich and white spot disease.
• Maracyn – An antibiotic that combats bacterial infections, preventing issues like fin rot, skin redness, open wounds, swollen eyes etc.
This quarantine protocol ensures that every fish we sell are healthy, acclimated to Tennessee water, and ready to thrive in their new home.
Water Parameters for Healthy Fish
To help you achieve the best results when acclimating your new fish, we’ve included a photo showing the exact water parameters we maintain in our tanks. These values are carefully monitored and kept stable, ensuring that each fish grows and thrives in a healthy, natural environment.
By following these parameters at home, you can provide the smoothest transition possible for your fish, helping them settle in quickly and comfortably. We’re dedicated to setting you up for success with your new fish, and sharing these details is part of our commitment to their health and your enjoyment.
Shipping Information:
- Our fish, shrimp, & snails are carefully packaged in breathable bags.
- The shipping box is well-insulated to maintain optimal conditions. In most cases, additional heating or cooling packs are not necessary. However, to ensure the health and survival of the fish, shrimp, & snails it is essential that they are brought indoors promptly upon arrival, particularly in extreme weather conditions (either hot or cold). Please monitor the tracking number for updates on the estimated delivery time.
- We ship on Mondays (unless you have a special requested shipping time) with all orders processed by 10 AM. We currently only ship within the United States.
- If there are extreme weather conditions, we may postpone shipments until weather is better to make sure your shrimp arrive safely.
- In the unlikely event of a DOA (Dead on Arrival), we will refund the cost of the fish, shrimp, or snail provided that a photograph of the deceased animal, is still in the packaging, and is submitted within 1 hour of delivery of the package. Please note that any additional shipping costs for the replacement are the responsibility of the buyer. While our shipping methods are designed to minimize the risk of DOA, we cannot control the handling by postal employees or drivers.
We are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with your order. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.
