
If you have to feed your dwarf puffers frozen food, meaty diets such as bloodworms The Polychaeta, also known as the bristle worms or polychaetes, are a paraphyletic class of annelid worms, generally marine. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae, which are made of chitin. As such, polychaetes are sometimes re…Polychaete
Can dwarf puffer fish eat frozen food?
If you have to feed your dwarf puffers frozen food, meaty diets such as bloodworms, blackworms, and snails are all good choices. There is a chance your fish will refuse to eat frozen food, in which case, try to mix them with live feeds. That said, dwarf puffers don’t need snails to mill their teeth the way other puffers do.
What do you feed your puffers?
stuff like bloodworms, blackworms, snails, etc is usually what puffers eat. an occasional part of a pea is what some people feed, but i've never used that. i've fed the worms and snails. they usually prefer live, but it's a good idea to train them to eat frozen as well though. hope that helps. Like Reply.
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.
How often should I Feed my dwarf puffers?
Feed you dwarf puffers two to three times a day, so they have gently rounded but not bloated abdomens. Overfeeding them will result in constipation mostly manifested as swollen abdomens in fish. Eventually, remove uneaten food from the tank after a short while to keep the water quality in top condition.

What do dwarf pea puffers eat?
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 live food can I feed my pea puffer?
0:002:52What to feed Dwarf Puffer Fish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'm going to talk about their main diet their main diet consists of live aquarium snails bloodMoreSo I'm going to talk about their main diet their main diet consists of live aquarium snails blood worms brine shrimp anything of that matter these guys will eat.
How often should you feed a dwarf puffer?
three times per dayDwarf puffers are skilled panhandlers, quickly learning to train their owners to feed them on demand! Feed them small amounts, two or three times per day, so they have gently rounded but not swollen abdomens. Remove uneaten food quickly to avoid problems with water quality.
How much should I feed my dwarf puffer?
Pea Puffers should be fed 2 to 3 times a day. Only feed them as much as they will eat within a couple of minutes. Well-fed Pea Puffers have slightly swollen abdomens. If you are feeding your pea puffers snails, don't put too many in the aquarium at a time.
When should I feed my pea puffer?
0:455:52Feeding my Pea Puffers. SO CUTE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUm today's sunday uh well the day doesn't matter rather any day for you because it's just uh everyMoreUm today's sunday uh well the day doesn't matter rather any day for you because it's just uh every day is a good day to be doing fish tank madness. Sorry about the glare. Sorry not sorry let's deep
Can 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).
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.
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.
What do you feed your puffer?
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.
What frozen food do puffer fish eat?
Frozen Foods Appropriately sized shrimp, worms, larvae and krill provide a range of acceptable frozen options. When providing a frozen diet for your dwarf puffer, the food must be thawed. DwarfPuffers.com suggests doing so in a shot glass with water from the tank that you can then pour into the tank for feeding.
How many times a day should I feed my pea puffers?
two a dayIt's important to make sure you're not overfeeding them for the sake of their health. Due to their appetite, it's quite easy to give these fish too much food. 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.
What can 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.
How do you feed bloodworms to pea puffers?
2:076:20Pea Puffers Feeding On Bloodworms - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo they pack a punch they pack a wallop for as tiny as they are. Again they're very outgoing. They'MoreSo they pack a punch they pack a wallop for as tiny as they are. Again they're very outgoing. They're very bold. Little fish they're super curious they're really intelligent.
How do you feed pea puffer snails?
16:3622:42Feeding My Pea Puffers 50 Snails! AKA (Indian Dwarf ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFood from the store. That's. It's you know pre-prepared pellets and flakes. Because they really haveMoreFood from the store. That's. It's you know pre-prepared pellets and flakes. Because they really have special needs in that sense and so if you're gonna have one make sure that you go that extra mile.
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!
What Do Puffer Fish Eat In the Wild?
Puffer Fish are cute and funny looking with their front teeth converging together like a beak. They are omnivores that feast on:
Can I Feed My Puffer Fish Pellets or Flakes?
Puffer fish don’t want to eat pellets or flakes. They resist and remain intact with their original ways of eating in the wild. They want shellfish, snails, clams, shrimp and anything they can crunch with their durable teeth.
What Type of Foods Should I Buy My Puffer Fish?
Puffer fish can crack open shells in most cases. The larger the puffer, the bigger the live or frozen food you can try feeding them. Let’s make a list of foods to look for. Don’t forget about adding some veggies too!
Should I Feed Vegetables To My Puffer Fish?
Puffer Fish consume algae in the wild as they graze on it in small amounts. Adding too many veggies will affect their digestive systems. Some fishkeepers feel that veggies should be given only 1-2 times a week at the most.
Are Puffer Fish Fussy or Picky Eaters?
Puffer fish have personalities that display themselves when it comes to the food they wish to eat. You may notice them begging for food when they see you approach the tank.
Why Do Puffer Fish Like Shellfish?
Puffer fish need some teeth maintenance. We don’t want to bring them to the dentist so we should help them out in other ways.
Why Should I Thaw Frozen Food For Puffer Fish?
We know that puffer fish like to crunch on hard food so why can’t we just throw frozen food into the tank?
How hot should water be for a dwarf puffer?
Overall, fill your dwarf puffer breeding tank with slightly soft, acidic water with the temperature anywhere from 77°F to 82°F. The ph should range between 6.5 and 7.5.
What temperature do dwarf puffers like?
A total hardness around 125ppm and a temperature in the mid to upper 70s F is quite Ok. That said, dwarf puffers are considerably sensitive to ammonia and nitrate content in the tank water.
What is a puffer fish?
Also called pea puffer fish or pygmy pufferfish, they are tiny fish that can be kept in small freshwater aquariums.
What is the biggest challenge in keeping pufferfish?
Traditionally, the biggest challenge in keeping pufferfish was size and salinity. Then this hurdle was solved by the introduction of the adorable pygmy puffer fish to aquarium fish keeping. The fish are tiny and entirely freshwater, plus quite subtle given their family’s reputation.
What temperature do puffer fish like?
Dwarf puffer fish are endemic to Southwest India hence prefer a tropical fish tank with temperatures anywhere between 75°F and 80°F. They also like neutral to alkaline water between 7.0 to 7.8 ph.
How long do puffer fish live?
The average lifespan of dwarf puffer fish is about 4 years. Of course, this will depend on how well you take care of your pet. Given the best conditions, the lifespan can even be extended a few months or a year above the average.
Do puffer fish like community tanks?
Dwarf puffer fish will also live comfortably in community tanks without a problem, they do prefer a species tank though. A female to male ratio of 3 to 1 is recommended to reduce aggression in aquarium fish. Because dwarf puffers do get quite shy at times, keep them in a planted tanks with a couple of hiding spaces.
Where do dwarf puffer fish live?
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.
What diseases do dwarf pea puffers have?
Instead, you’ll want to follow the recommended guidelines for preventing and looking out for common freshwater illnesses. The most common disease to be aware of is Ich.
How big of a tank do pea puffers need?
Tank Size. The minimum pea puffer tank size is 10 gallons. These are active fish that like to have room to swim and hide. If you can manage it and want to give them the best habitat possible, we recommend something closer to 20 or 30 gallons.
Why is it bad to overfeed a 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.
Why are pea puffers so aggressive?
This is why it’s so important to give them enough space to feel comfortable and stay away from other fish. Cramming them in too close to each other is a recipe for disaster due to their territorial nature.
What does a pea puffer look like?
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 near the middle of their bodies.
How long do pea puffers live?
The average pea puffer lifespan is 4-5 years. As is the case with any fish, their lifespan relies on a mix of genetics and quality of care. If you don’t provide them with the quality of care they need, then the chance of them hitting 5 years of age is slim to none.
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.

Overview/Origin
Appearance
- Any owner would describe the features of this bugger to be cute and cartoon-like. One could attribute this foremost to the fish’s face profile. Pea puffers, as their name suggests, looked like odd peas swimming in the water! Their eyes that are almost half-length their faces and paired with rectangular and bit pointed mouths can give any onlooker the impression that it shows off its qu…
Behaviour & Temperament
- 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. As dwarf puffers do easily …
Lifespan
- How long does Dwarf Puffer live?
A life expectancy of 5 years or longer is estimated on puffer fishes. Their lifespan also stands true even if they are living in their natural habitat. As an owner, you can set up their tank similar to their original biome to improve the longevity of the fish! It is best to ensure that proper care and maint… - Common Diseases
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. One of the most dreaded diseases of the freshwater kind is the Ich. The illness appears a…
Size
- How big do Dwarf Puffers get?
At most, the Dwarf Puffer Fish can only reach the size of 1 and a half inches. Deemed as one of the smallest puffer fish in the world, they do not even exceed the said size even if they matured. Gender does not affect their size a lot or even their genes, at that matter. You might wonder if th… - How many Dwarf Puffers can be kept together?
Due to their nippy behavior, pea puffers are best in tanks that are made only for them. If you would like to bring more than one pea puffer fish to the aquarium, it is preferable to have only one male in the crowd. Female ones are less aggressive, and some owners would even want an all-femal…
Dwarf Puffer Care
- Tank Size
It is better to have a tank size that can handle 10 gallons of water. A roomy tank for small fishes will be a good sign for them to roam more and never get bored inside the tank. More water can even be more beneficial if there are other fish species in the tank. If your other fishes have a saf… - Tank Setup
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! First off, to put in their home are dense, leafy plants that occupy plenty of areas in the tank. The…
Tank Mates
- Can dwarf puffer fish live with other fish?
As natural carnivores, letting your dwarf puffer fishes go along with other fishes will be hard to do. Even internet sources will tell you to put your fish in an exclusive tank instead! Yet, these critters are shoaling fishes, meaning they still love to be in the company of other fishes, too. Providing a … - What fish can live with Dwarf Puffer?
There is no particular tank mate that is suitable for dwarf puffers. In most cases, they are kept by most fish owners in tanks where no other fish species thrive! Only if you want to see a bloodbath in your aquarium at the end of the day, but still, the best advice is to create a tank made for their …
Breeding
- If you plan to rear more dwarf puffers, you should get to know the sexes of the adult pair ready to breed first. After all, breeding for their kind will not be too difficult for anyone who will take this hobby! For you to see if an adult male and female are sexually mature, you should notice that they are more vibrant in color, with females being more rounded in their bellies too. Males, on the oth…
Summary
- Are Dwarf Puffers easy to care for?
Any owner would agree that Dwarf Puffers are not that difficult to keep. The fish is a natural predator, and so they can always find something for themselves to munch on! If, in any chance that they would not be able to eat food served by their owner, they can always choose to eat eve…
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.
Food & Diet
- Dwarf pea pufferfish are carnivorous and despite their cute appearance, they have quite a fierce appetite! In the wild, these fish mostly ear small insects, larvae, and algae. In captivity, you’ll need to give them protein-rich food with a good mix of variety. These aren’t fish that you can get away with feeding pellets and flakes. Frozen and live ...
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…