All fish / Tetraodontidae

Pea Puffer

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

Also known as dwarf pufferfish, dwarf puffer, pygmy puffer, malabar puffer, indian dwarf puffer, pea pufferfish, yellow pufferfish, ปักเป้าถั่ว, buntal kacang, アベニーパファー, 娃娃鱼, 侏儒河豚

This is one of the smallest pufferfish in the world, a rounded little fish in yellow to green with dark blotches and eyes that move on their own. People keep it for its curious, bold personality and because it lives fully in fresh water, unlike most puffers sold in shops.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6.8 to 7.8

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a small group of 3 to 6 with females outnumbering males, in a heavily planted tank

Diet

Carnivore: live and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small snails; rarely takes dry food

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southwestern India (Kerala and Karnataka rivers)

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine plants or moss and gives no parental care, and adults will eat the eggs. Breeding happens fairly readily in a well planted species tank, and males show a dark belly stripe and wrinkles behind the eyes.

Good to know

It nips fins and shrimp, so it is best kept in a species tank, and males can be territorial with each other. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN because of overcollection for the trade, so captive bred fish are preferable.