Live Foods:
- Bloodworms
- brine shrimp
- tubifex worms
- mosquito larvae
- Krill
- Small snails (ramshorn snails, Malaysian trumpet snails, bladder snails, and other pest snails and live snails).
- Scuds. Due to their size, any other small live or frozen larvae will also do well. It’s always better to fed your pea puffer live foods over frozen foods.
What do pea puffer fish eat?
There are options on feeding the pea puffers, too. You may even get a small number of live food, such as snails, for the fish to prey on whenever they feel at it. Puffer fishes do not need to be overfed, as their bodies do not grow as much, unlike other tank fishes.
What do dwarf puffers eat?
Dwarf puffers may have a small size, but it does not mean that they eat small! As carnivorous fishes, owners should give them a lot of protein-based foods: In their ecosystems, puffer fishes also consume insect larvae such as the mosquito.
What is a dwarf pea puffer?
The dwarf pea puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is a freshwater fish that’s native to the Western Ghats of Southwest India. Some of its other common names are the dwarf pufferfish, pea pufferfish, and pygmy pufferfish.
How often should I Feed my pea puffer?
Aim for a two a day feeding schedule. Another reason why it’s bad to overfeed your pea puffer is the effect the extra food can have on water quality. Uneaten food will settle in the tank and begin to break down. This process will slowly compromise the water in your tank and cause a rise in nitrate and other substances.
What should I feed my pea puffers?
What Do Pea Puffers Eat? These hardcore carnivores are best fed on a diet of frozen foods (like frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp) and live foods (like little pest snails or blackworms).
What does dwarf puffer fish eat?
In captivity, dwarf pufferfish benefit from a varied diet and will eat small snails such as ramshorn snails, bladder snails, and Malaysian trumpet snails, as well as foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp, which can be fed live or frozen.
How do I feed my dwarf puffer?
0:312:52What to feed Dwarf Puffer Fish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe snail part right out of the shell. Like so so they'll basically just continue to do this to oneMoreThe snail part right out of the shell. Like so so they'll basically just continue to do this to one snail. Until there's nothing left and it's just an empty shell.
How often should I feed my pea puffers?
Pea Puffers are meat-eaters through and through. Feed them live or frozen food 2 to 3 times a day. Don't overfeed them and don't allow them to become stuck on one food.
Do Pea Puffers need salt?
While most Puffer Fish are brackish or saltwater fish Pea Puffers are true freshwater fish. They don't require salt and can't tolerate even brackish conditions.
Do Pea Puffers eat mealworms?
Mealworms are OK in moderation. Pea puffers can be trained to eat thawed frozen bloodworms from the end of a toothpick. They will also eat thawed seafood (in small chunks).
How long can pea puffers go without food?
Pea puffer fish can go without food for up to 10 days before they die. They are very resilient and will find ways to survive, even if it means eating what you don't want them too!
How long can a dwarf puffer live without food?
How long can Dwarf Puffers go without eating? Dwarf Pufferfish can go for 5 – 7 days without eating. A healthy Dwarf Puffer can go even longer. If your Dwarf Puffer has stopped eating, try tempting them back into feeding by offering live bloodworms, blackworms, or small snails.
What should I feed my puffer fish?
What do puffer fish eat? Puffers should be fed a carnivorous diet of pellets and freeze-dried and frozen foods, along with chopped squid, clams, shrimp and krill. Larger puffers should be offered shelled foods, like mussels, to help wear down their continuously growing teeth.
Do dwarf puffers eat freeze dried bloodworms?
But there is good news—they will eat frozen and freeze-dried bloodworms, as well as finely ground frozen and freeze dried krill and brine shrimp.
Do Pea Puffers eat bloodworms?
2:076:20Pea Puffers Feeding On Bloodworms - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're never going to see it so I do have a little bit of bloodworms right here. So we'll put them inMoreWe're never going to see it so I do have a little bit of bloodworms right here. So we'll put them in the tank. Once. These guys have a little feed. These fish are fantastic. I love them I definitely
How many Pea Puffers should be kept together?
How Many Pea Puffers Should Be Kept together? Pea Puffers can be kept alone, but they do better when placed in groups of at least 3 fish. While they are territorial, they do shoal as well.
What do you feed puffer fish?
What do puffer fish eat? Puffers should be fed a carnivorous diet of pellets and freeze-dried and frozen foods, along with chopped squid, clams, shrimp and krill. Larger puffers should be offered shelled foods, like mussels, to help wear down their continuously growing teeth.
How long can dwarf puffers go without food?
How long can Dwarf Puffers go without eating? Dwarf Pufferfish can go for 5 – 7 days without eating. A healthy Dwarf Puffer can go even longer. If your Dwarf Puffer has stopped eating, try tempting them back into feeding by offering live bloodworms, blackworms, or small snails.
Are Dwarf Pufferfish easy to keep?
Dwarf puffers may sometimes nip at them, but these catfish are fast swimmers and quickly learn to avoid trouble. However, Otocinclus aren't especially easy fish to keep. Their mortality level immediately after import is high — being prone to starvation and sensitive to poor water quality.
What fish can live with Dwarf Puffer?
Their territorial and aggressive nature means you can't simply pair them with any similarly-sized fish. The safest bet is to get one dwarf pea pufferfish and keep them alone....Pea Puffer Tank MatesKuhli loach.Otocinclus.Neon tetras (both normal and green)Ember tetras.Danios.Cherry shrimp.
What Do Pea Puffers Eat?
Other fish we talk about on this website are omnivorous, however, the pea puffer is a straight-up carnivore! You won’t see him making an algae salad anytime soon.
How big do pea puffers get
When fully developed, the average pea puffer length is 1.5 inches long. Males and females tend to be the same size. Their small stature is one of the reasons they’re the most popular pufferfish, as well as how they got their name “The pea puffer” Or “The dwarf puffer”.
Can a male and female dwarf puffer live together?
Yes! Pea dwarf puffers can live together safely in the same aquarium provided there’s space for every one pea puffer to themself. Males and females have been known to share the same tank for life.
How much do pea puffers cost?
On average, you’ll be looking at spending anywhere from $20 all the way up to $40 for a dwarf puffer. Of course, this price can vary widely depending on where you live and the color of your pet.
How long do pufferfish live?
The suggested lifespan is around 3 years or longer, but it varies on how healthy and happy they are. Some have been known to live as long as 5 years, but the rounded average is 3-5 years.
Where do pea puffers live
The pea pufferfish (pygmy pufferfish) is a tiny freshwater pufferfish that can be found in Kerala and southern Karnataka in India’s southwestern region. Overfishing in the aquarium trade, as well as habitat loss, are both detrimental to its survival. Luckily, at least somewhat, It does well in captivity and there is a healthy captive population.
Can I put my pea puffer pet into brackish water?
Absolutely not! Dwarf puffer fish is a true freshwater species and can not tolerate any salinity. So, unfortunately, You will not be able to place your pea puffer into a brackish water tank.
What do pea puffers like to do?
As small and hyper fishes, pea puffers may want to explore a tank filled with vegetation and unusual objects. Placing a lot of possible hiding places will also make these fishes enjoy the tank!
What is the best fish to have in an aquarium?
The dwarf puffer fish (Scientific name: Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is one of the best and exquisite small aquarium fish that aquarists can ever own! Popularly known as the pea puffer fish, this mini-sized freshwater creature thrives in the rivers (and estuaries) of the Western Ghats, Southwest India.
Do dwarf pea puffers have disease?
The good thing about dwarf pea puffers is that they are not vulnerable to any species-specific kind of disease! But, they can still be susceptible to any common fish disease known to the aquatic world.
Is a teeny tiny fish aggressive?
Sometimes the size can be quite deceiving. Our teeny-tiny fish here, unlike the other small tank fishes, is naturally aggressive! They would wander on their big tank messing with other fishes— and would even nip tails. If they are even more confident with their tank, they sure are also active swimmers and look around the tank as if they own it for themselves.
Pea Puffer Origin
The dwarf pea puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is a freshwater fish native to Southwest India’s Western Ghats. It is also known as the dwarf pufferfish, pea pufferfish, and pygmy pufferfish.
Appearance Of Pea Puffers
While we more often call this fish “adorable” and leave it at that, we’ll delve into more detail for the sake of thoroughness. The pea puffer has a highly distinct appearance, which contributed to the genesis of its name. These small little fish that resembles a big swimming pea!
Behavior & Temperament
One of the most generally misunderstood parts of pea puffer care is this. Because of their small size and lovely look, many potential owners believe these fish are safe.
Common Possible Diseases
There are no species-specific diseases to be concerned about with the dwarf pea puffer. Instead, you should follow the suggested rules for avoiding and detecting frequent freshwater infections.
Tank Setup For Pea Puffers
A minimum tank capacity of 10 gallons is required for Pea Puffers. Of course, they would do better in a larger tank since it would allow them to wander more freely, as they would in their native habitat. If you intend to maintain other Pea Puffers in the tank, you will need at least 5 gallons for each extra Pea Puffer you keep in your aquarium.
FAQs About Pea Puffer
Pea Puffers can be kept in a communal tank, although it can be tough. Because Pea Puffers are so little, they may be harassed or eaten by larger fish. They aren’t quick swimmers, though, so they may be unable to flee if they are attacked.
Final Thoughts About Pea Puffer
Dwarf pea puffer maintenance is a tremendously gratifying and pleasurable experience. These fish are a joy to maintain, and many owners have told us that buying this species was one of the finest decisions they’ve ever made.
How many pea puffers can you have in a 10 gallon tank?
How Many Pea Puffers Can You Have in a 10-Gallon Tank? Given how territorial pea puffers can be, many people have a lot of success keeping just one pea puffer in a five-gallon aquarium by itself. If you want to keep more than one, the general rule of thumb is to provide five gallons of water for the first puffer and three gallons ...
What is the smallest pufferfish?
Care Guide for Pea Puffers – The Smallest Pufferfish in the World. Pea puffers are one of the coolest oddball species you can keep in a smaller-sized aquarium. They’re known for their helicopter-like maneuverability, independently moving eyes, and of course, ability to inflate like a tiny water balloon. In this practical care guide, we answer your ...
What to feed pea puffers?
Just make sure to feed a wide variety of frozen foods so that they get all the essential nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life. Frozen bloodworms are a favorite food for pea puffers, but offer them a diverse assortment of foods to ensure they have a well-rounded diet.
Where do pea puffers come from?
What Is a Pea Puffer? Carinotetraodon travancoricus – also known as the pea puffer, Indian dwarf puffer, Malabar puffer, and pygmy puffer – is the smallest pufferfish in the world and comes from fully freshwater environments in the southwestern tip of India. Growing only to one inch long, they’re sold for anywhere from $3 to $15 at your local fish ...
What do carnivores eat?
These hardcore carnivores are best fed on a diet of frozen foods (like frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp) and live foods (like little pest snails or blackworms). They typically will not take dry foods, but we’ve had good luck with Hikari Vibra Bites because they look and even move like bloodworms as they’re sinking.
Why do pufferfish puff up?
Pufferfish puff up by sucking in water to increase their size and discourage would-be predators . If let alone, it will shrink back down to its normal shape in due time.
What temperature do squid need to be in an aquarium?
They do well in stable, tropical temperatures from 74 to 82°F, so if your room temperature is below this range or tends to fluctuate a lot, you need an aquarium heater. For more information on what size heater is right for you, read our full article here.
Species Summary
Appearance
- While we’re tempted to describe the look of this fish as “adorable” and leave it at that, we’ll go into details for the sake of being thorough. The pea puffer has a very unique look that led to the origin of their name. These tiny little fish that look like chunky swimming pea! Their bodies are rather thick and dense looking. The front starts off a slightly pointed at the mouth and gets thickest ne…
Size
- The average pea puffer size is around 1 and a half inches in length when fully grown.That’s obviously not very large, which is partially how these fish earned their name! It’s basically unheard of for these fish to exceed this size no matter how good their care or genetics are. There are anomalies of course, but for the most part they’re pretty consistent.
Pea Puffer Care
- Pea puffer care isn’t that difficult once you have a solid understanding of the species. The biggest challenge you’ll face with this fish is making sure their water and tank requirements are up to par.
Behavior & Temperament
- This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of pea puffer care. A lot of potential owners think that these fish are likely harmless due to their size and adorable appearance. Wrong. Pea puffers are very feisty and aggressive fish who have no issue fighting with other species (or each other).This is why it’s so important to give them enough space to feel comfortable and sta…
Pea Puffer Tank Mates
- Finding the right pea puffer tank mates is something that many owners struggle with. Their territorial and aggressive nature means you can’t simply pair them with any similarly-sized fish. The safest bet is to get one dwarf pea pufferfish and keep them alone. This will ensure that there isn’t any fighting and allow you to get away with a smaller tank. But that’s not very fun, and the fa…
Breeding
- The breeding process for dwarf pea puffers is something anyone can do as long as you have the appropriate resources and knowledge. For the most part, you’ll be sticking to a lot of the tank guidelines we listed earlier. The main difference here is that you might be keeping these fish in closer proximity to each other, and warming up the water. Bumping up the water to the higher en…
Wrapping Up
- Dwarf pea puffer care is a very rewarding and enjoyable process. These fish are a pleasure to keep, and we’ve heard from numerous owners who say getting this species was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. From their cute appearance to active temperament, it’s a boatload of fun watching these fish. They’re a unique and different freshwater species in the best possible w…
Overview/Origin
Appearance
Behaviour & Temperament
Lifespan
Size
Dwarf Puffer Care
Diet & Feeding
- What do Dwarf Puffers eat?
Dwarf puffers may have a small size, but it does not mean that they eat small! As carnivorous fishes, owners should give them a lot of protein-based foods: 1. Tubifex 2. Brine shrimp 3. Mysis shrimp 4. Bloodworms 5. Any frozen and live foods In their ecosystems, puffer fishes also cons… - How often should I feed my Dwarf Puffer?
Feeding the fish two times a day is advisable. Once during the day, and one at night. If you have larger or adult ones in the tank, sometimes you can even try to serve them food to eat every other day. If there are young underlings in the tank, those are the ones that need more binge-eating! T…
Tank Mates
Breeding
Summary