Pea Puffer

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

Also sold as Indian dwarf puffer

Synonyms Dwarf puffer · Malabar puffer · Pygmy puffer · Tetraodon travancoricus

Pea Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is an aggressive freshwater fish that reaches about 3 cm (1.2 in) and swims in open water. It wants 75–82°F (24–28°C) and pH 6.5–7.5, can be kept singly, and needs a tank of at least 20 L (5 gal).

At a glance

Type	Fish
Adult size	3 cm (1.2 in)
Minimum tank	20 L (5 gal)
Group size	Can be kept singly
Temperature	75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH	6.5–7.5
Temperament	Aggressive
GH	5–15
Lifespan	5 years
Eats shrimp	Yes

Before it goes in

Pea Puffer needs at least 20 L (5 gal). The smallest size in this library that clears that is the 36P.
It eats shrimp. Cherry Shrimp, Crystal Red Shrimp and Bamboo Shrimp are on the menu.
It holds at 75–82°F (24–28°C). That shares a window with Betta and Cherry Shrimp, but not with Goldfish and Dojo Loach.
Do not put it with Betta, Cherry Shrimp and Nerite Snail.
It can go wrong with Amano Shrimp — it works in some tanks and not in others, so it is not a combination to buy blind.
It is aggressive — plan the tank around it rather than adding it to a finished community.
It nips fins, so long-finned fish are a bad match.
One of them takes up roughly 16% of what a 36P will comfortably hold, so plan the rest of the stock around it.

What tank size does it need?

At least 20 L (5 gal). The smallest size here that clears it is the 36P.

Will it eat shrimp?

Yes. Shrimp are food to it, so pick one or the other.

What water does it want?

75–82°F (24–28°C), pH 6.5–7.5, GH 5–15.

How long does it live?

5 years in a tank that suits it. That is how long you are signing up for.

Good tank mates

Tank mates from this library that share its temperature window, are peaceful and eat neither it nor its young: Bristlenose Pleco, Celestial Pearl Danio, Molly, Otocinclus and Ramshorn Snail.
Plants that hold up with it: Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis', Water Sprite, Anubias nana 'Petite' and Cryptocoryne wendtii.

Often compared with

	Pea Puffer	Green Spotted Puffer	Lambchop Rasbora
Adult size	3 cm	17 cm	3 cm
Min tank	20 L	108 L	40 L
Group	1+	1+	8+
Temperature	75–82°F (24–28°C)	75–82°F (24–28°C)	73–82°F (23–28°C)
Eats shrimp	Yes	Yes	—

More livestock

Plan a tank with Pea Puffer →

Sources (3) · checked Sep 2026