Dwarf Puffer

About the Dwarf Puffer

The Pea Puffer, or Indian Dwarf Puffer, is a tiny, freshwater aquarium fish (1-1.5 inches) with striking yellow and black iridescent patterns on its body. Known for its "spunk," intelligence, and tendency to be aggressive towards tank mates and even its own kind, this species is best kept in a heavily planted, low-flow aquarium to provide hiding places. While small, they are semi-aggressive, so groups of three or less in a 10-gallon tank are ideal.

Husbandry & Care

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons

Water Temperature: 72-82 °F

Water pH: 6.8-8.0

Social Group: Solitary, trio in a 10-gallon, or 6x fish in a 20-gallon long aquarium

Diet: Carnivorous; Live baby brine shrimp or daphnia, frozen brine shrimp/bloodworms, tubifex worms, live ramshorn or bladder snails.

Compatible with: Otocinclus, Bristlenose pleco. This species does not do well in community set-ups due to food competition and territoriality.