Fish Tank Talk - Pea Puffers

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for Fish Tank Talk - Pea Puffers

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vince1964100 - 7 years ago

Hi. I just added three pea puffers to my new tank. I gave them some bloodworms but they are hardly touching them. Is it unusual?

BLUR. VISUAL - 7 years ago

Yoh, my pea puffers starts to pick on my grown mystery snail, had to remove the snail to another tank, this surprised me since they r so small but still aggressive towards the snail 6 times their size.

Bagel God - 7 years ago

Can't find them in any petstore :( btw I have 2 LPS and I still can't find them...

Quin Ja - 7 years ago

Try Calling your local Petco or Petsmart and ask if they could or some for you. My petco said they do order these but it will probably be a week or 2.

Bagel God - 7 years ago

Shipping fees are expensive though :(

PoTato PlAyS - 7 years ago

Bagel God order online

Eros - 7 years ago

i have 1 pea puffer and i might get another, but this pea puffer is so cool. it doesn't even seem like an aggressive fish, it just does its own thing

Sean Ford - 7 years ago

I am thinking about putting one in my 5.5 gallon with pygmy corys and glow light tetras. is that a safe way to go?

Sean Ford - 7 years ago

Cam craft I got one and he died this morning because I went on a vacation and he starved.

Cameron Lau - 7 years ago

Sean Ford how many of each type? 5.5 gallons isn't that much and you have to be careful you don't overcrowd or stress the puffer

rightmyer39 - 7 years ago

they are only aggressive if you have more then one male puffer in the tank or big finned tank mates, i have three pea puffers in my 20 gallon with mollies glowlight tetras and guppies and they all get along fine you just need 5 gallons per puffer fish for territorial purposes

Aiden Zrihen - 7 years ago

im getting 3

theo jansen - 7 years ago

I used to have one in a 20 gallon community tank and it was a very peaceful fish who got along with everyone else in the tank, and it would always be swimming with my two sparkling gouramis thinking it was one of them, overall I have to say that the pea puffer made itself my favorite fish to keep in the freshwater hobby

JBJ Acuarios Chernobyl - 7 years ago

nice job!!

10. comment for Fish Tank Talk - Pea Puffers

JBJ Acuarios Chernobyl - 7 years ago

my pea puffers at the moment are perfect. but the have not friends... you can watch my tanks in acuarios chernobyl... not tipical spanish!!!

Bengal Ghost - 7 years ago

No frozen taken with my three. Tried starving them for a conversion to frozen blood worms. They just stare. Won't work. No movement. Only live black worms, or tubiflex. Live brine shrimp too expensive. They are Fin nippers nippers.

Loretta Wattez - 7 years ago

they are good with bumble bee fish.

Wolfy Kaname - 7 years ago

i had some when i first started many many years ago, i liked them.

Callme Daddy - 7 years ago

I'm thinking about getting one for my fluval spec v. Great little fish!

Alex Brooks - 8 years ago

I just picked up 4 of these guys, they're in a heavily planted/structured 20long with 4 otos and what was 20 chocolate rili culls and a mess of snails, they seem to have taken down quite a few snails and shrimp. they will readily eat (inhale) mini blood worms and are over all a joy to keep. very inquisitive, they are out and about when I'm around, for nano fish this is exceptional.

Daniel R - 8 years ago

Had two half grown pea puffs a month now.. will share what i have noticed so far. important feeding info included far below!! first let me say like most puffers they seem to express more than most fish, having different personalities.. so what happens with some may be opposite with others! that said.. first two days they went crazy constantly up and down the glass seeing their reflection!!! they grow out of this and settle down. 2 weeks after keeping they are used to me, and don't even mind the weekly siphon hose move it slow to not scare them! and don't suck them up!!! they are in a 10gal. fake tree stump--root system, live plants, small pieces of driftwood, and sand bottom as in a small tank it's easier to keep clean than gravel. I will research carefully and add some more fish and plants in the future ( i'm doing a nano amazon tank ) puffs share the tank with sexed pair of albino bristle-nose placos, a group of neon tetras, and bumblebee catfish, and many ghost shrimp up to 30 at a time. they all get along great with the exception of the puffers hunting the ghost shrimp. mine never fin nip or bother the other fish what so ever. mine get along fine with other fish! even when other fish are sleeping.. my puffs don't fin nip at all ever! they do hunt, and occasionally attack and kill ghost shrimp!! they mostly seem to go after shrimp larger than themselves! don't know if the smaller shrimp are harder to catch, or they like the sport of going after big game ( inch and quarter long shrimp ) ha ha!! I have had almost no luck at all with frozen-thawed foods!! blood worms are totally ignored!!! mysis shrimp are hardly ever nibbled on. i have not tried thawed brine shrimp or clams yet but soon will. I have come up with a trick that works with mine and is my most feeding success so far!!! crush the head of a large ghost shrimp (hard for me to do) .. i like the ghost shrimp too! then i place shrimp on my custom feeding station, i will explain.. i cut the end off of a tiny spring just below one coil which becomes the support. then i bend the curved hook part of the spring straight so it makes a upside down L shape. then i run the horizontal end of the wire through the shrimp. i now sink the round part of the spring into the sand, the shrimp is now suspended even in water current approx and inch off the bottom. it looks like a tiny mailbox made of shrimp and stand. the pea puffers always swim right over and check the mail.. ha ha!! eating the shrimp eyes and legs first. any part of the shrimp that becomes pink from age,takes less than two hours the puffs recognize this as dead shrimp and they will no longer eat.!!! remove the shrimp and stand at this point. clean and put away or re add with fresh shrimp. hope this little trick helps someone.. please let me know if any of you other keepers have luck with other ways of feeding micro puffs.??? they seem picky eaters unlike their larger cousins!!! but very cute and interesting!!! yes i know these puffs are from India. everything else is from the amazon basin.. and the pea puffs fit in well. I am starting another tank for breeding raising ghost shrimp and tiny pond snails for the puffers. ( snails, clams, are not required for these puffers ) their teeth are slow growing unlike larger puffers!! harder type snails will actually break these puffers teeth i have read. any comments on keeping these micro puffs would be great.!!! hope this article.. ha ha!! has helped someone : )

Muhd Hamizan - 8 years ago

These guys definitely help to control the snails population in my planted tank

Steve Gee - 8 years ago

Should def feed them snails as the shells help keep their teeth from overgrowing.

VillagerSparky - 8 years ago

Pea Puffers don't crunch shells, they suck the snails out. Biggest problem with that is most f the snail is left in the shell. I still feed mine snails because the little sod wont eat anything else.

Bengal Ghost - 8 years ago

I had three. they won't take frozen bloodworms, just live tubifex or brine shrimps only. tried starving then putting frozen food, no go.

20. comment for Fish Tank Talk - Pea Puffers

Kevin Baker - 8 years ago

I got my pea puffer living with a small gold severum and a med sized Angel - two ghost shrimp and they all live together in a 44 high. Live plants - driftwood .
Very fun to watch esp for 3 to 5 dollars.

Kevin Baker - 7 years ago

thanks

Tamara Simpson - 7 years ago

Kevin Baker check your water, they need very clean parameters. I'm getting a couple of these little guys in a couple of days

Kevin Baker - 8 years ago

No - they all 3 died. I bought 3 more and they died. I liked them so I just might get more. They are only $5. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I tried the second /3 in a 20 gallon and they didnt live long either. I fed them frozen brine..

Alex Brooks - 8 years ago

Kevin Baker still got that pea puff??

Lucas Beach - 8 years ago

going to get two of those and this helped a lot thanks

Michael Orme - 8 years ago

Pea puffers are cheap and cute. Wish they were expensive and ugly because they are impulse buys by people who do no research.

Kelly-lee Crause - 8 years ago

I bought 4 Dwarf Puffers today. I'm so excited, they are super cute and fun to look at.
I am busy breeding brine shrimp for them. :)

Rachel La - 8 years ago

how do u breed brine shrimp? my pea puffers wont accept non live foods and my car just broke down.

Bartosz Skowron - 8 years ago

Can I keep them with RC shrimp and galaxy rasbora?

Randy Jpnes - 8 years ago

no they will eat the rc shrimp

claudiar372 - 8 years ago

I have one and he don't like eating anything

GARDEN STATE FISHING - 7 years ago

claudiar372 try frozen bloodworms

Chase .N - 8 years ago

not lol):

Chase .N - 8 years ago

Here that would not be a 3 dollar fish here that would be a 30 dollar fish lol

Nolan Q - 8 years ago

I have 2 pea puffers in a10 gallon tank and they eat brine shrimp

Rachel La - 8 years ago

me too

Matt Phillips - 8 years ago

I'm fed up with people who keep saying these puffers belong in a species only tank this is complete bullocks and this is only required for certain Amazon species these dwarf puffers come from India and get on well in a well planted community tank with similar sized peaceful fish males can be aggressive to each other as they mature which for that reason alone proves to not keep them in a species only tank. These puffers are naturally inquisitive so aqua scape your tank to amuse them. If you have problems with aggressive behaviour it's more likely caused by too many males not enough aqua scape eg a bare tank or your tank is too small its that simple

wow - - 7 years ago

Todd Hollerson I would LOVE to see your tank. Video? I want to learn more before I getting one.

Todd Hollerson - 7 years ago

I agree. I have four in a 55 gallon along with Angels, Gouramis and Neon Tetras. I have other types of puffers in other tanks and know that they are none stop eaters. They can be fin nippers if they don't have a constant food source. I let my snail population explode before I introduced them. They keep the snail pop down while at the same time there are enough snails for algae control. Plus I have Cherry Shrimp which breed like mad. The tank has become self sustaining. I only add water to it because of evaporation. I haven't done a water change in over a year and the water is crystal clear. I have two Fluval 206 on this tank and rinse the sponges every two months. I stopped feeding them when I realized they were ignoring whatever kind of food I gave them. Every fish has beautiful color and is very active. For more than a year now, the PH is steady at 7. Ammonia is Zero, Nitrite is Zero and Nitrate is a little less than 5 ppm. I test the water weekly now, where as I used to test it four times a day.

Scott Believer - 7 years ago

What if you put just 1 puffer in a planted tank ? Can they live alone with neon tetras, rasbora and amano shrimp.?

CaitsACake - 7 years ago

Yeah, I don't quite understand the need for a species only tank with this fish either. I have a pair in a tank with a few tetras, guppies, and believe it or not a Florida cray which I know isn't quite advisable. As long as I keep my tank stocked with snails and feeder shrimp there isn't any aggression from any of the species involved.
In fact, my cray happens to love the puffers; he follows them around steals all of their leftovers in the tank!

Matt Phillips - 8 years ago

+reptilefreak72 no they are not toxic like the saltwater counterparts

Fisherman_WillPass - 8 years ago

You seem to know what you are doing thank you! Do you mind if I ask a question? Are these guys toxic? I have read difference things.

30. comment for Fish Tank Talk - Pea Puffers

max wellington - 9 years ago

Do you think they can live with weather loaches ?

Manuel Paschinger - 9 years ago

+max wellington weather loaches are big enough to don´t be bothered by pea puffers, so I would say yes.
No guarantee that it will really work.

But Pea Puffers are best kept in a species setup, with only pea puffers in it.

Bryan Stepanian - 9 years ago

Since its been some months now the 2 puffs are doing great. Their tank mates now includes 2 Rainbow Sharks, 2 Angel fish, 2 Barbs (one tiger, one green) and still the sunbursts and tetras. They've all done well with each other. They all swim together and respect each other's space even at feeding time. Puffs eat their frozen blood worms but love their snails. Before I got the puffs I bought about 6 or 7 big adult snails and by the time I got the puffs the snails have reproduce plenty of baby snails for them to eat when they were smaller. Now a little bigger they'll go for a big snail but not all. Its like they know the bigger snails are the source of their food. I've seen them go for a ghost shrimp or two when first introduced but snails are the preferred food. I wonder if they would eat clams? I might try and find some tiny clams or try a small chunk of a regular clam close to water conditions.

orangeinegamer - 9 years ago

I have one in a Walstad Method 7 gallon tank :)

Rod O - 9 years ago

Nice video. I remember seeing this a few months ago before getting my trio when I was researching them. My three are happy and reaching sexual maturity. One boy and two girls in a 10 gallon planted tank with ghost shrimp and two ottos. I put young guppies in there with them occasinally until I can see colors on them to select for breeding. It was a big gamble at first but Tiny, Killer, and Freckles don't bother the young guppies once they are least half a centimeter big. So far no young guppies have become snacks.

+DmRushed Despite what most quick references about dwarf puffers, I think they are pretty docile with fish that are larger then them. If anything they might be in danger of some larger fish just gobbling them up because they have no fear of anything. They get nippy at each other but are too slow to be dangerous to other fish their size or larger. Which are most. Shrimps are more of a gamble. After a few months I am about to be comfortable enough to swap the ghost shrimp that are currently in the tank with them to red cherries. I've been waiting for mine to become sexually mature since that is when everyone says they might show their true colors.

Mike Haugsted - 9 years ago

Great video,have 12,3 males and 9 female ,had for about one year and now there breeding,I love puffers but these guys take the cake,their population hass decreased by 40% in the wild,because of demand of fish ,java moss works great they need thick plants to drop their eggs in ,

5.1fps gamer - 8 years ago

Wow cool what tank size? 20gallon or litres

AB W - 9 years ago

My God, these guys really ARE just an absolutely adorable little species!! I'd love to try my hand at owing a few, but with their diet requirements,short lifespans, etc. I'm not so sure I could handle it...as an amateur. ; ) I think I'd just be setting myself up for heartbreak, as 4 years or so just doesn't seem long enough considering how attached I'd get to their little faces everyday! Hopefully I'll be able to have a lovely, low tech goldfish or angel tank to tend to for 10+ years someday! Keep up the good work, my friend. Your tanks are incredible. Your eye for scaping and planting is amazing, and you're videos offer a wealth of knowledge for those of us who are just getting into the hobby, and are looking for inspiration. Here's to you...and your puffers ; )

Kathleen Miller - 9 years ago

Thanks for ur response,I find them so adorable, now have 2 feamales an 1 male. Also bought 10 baby snails an a coouple bigger ones to breed I guess. I haven't gotten them to eat the frozen blood wirms yet will try brime today, or hopefully they get snails. Did u give them away because they are a pain in the butt too keep ? Anyway u don't have them anymore, so probably not much u care to hear about them. Thanks Rick........Kaye

Kathleen Miller - 9 years ago

Gee Rick, this is near 2 yrs old,, so I'm wondering if u still have them an if u would update on them ? I just got 2 an love them, but before I get any more , I need a little more know hows, from someone like u, not just reading. Thanks Rick great video....Kaye

TheRick2325 - 9 years ago

+Kathleen Miller I dont have them anymore, I gave them to a friend a long time ago. I would just recommend that if you have more than one to have a decent sized tank even though they are small cause they can get aggressive towards each other and of course try to feed em snails.

Faith Nichole - 9 years ago

I just got 3 yesterday! So neat!

Bryan Stepanian - 9 years ago

I'm digging these little guys. I got 2 in a 55 gallons with some barbs and sunbursts and their doing great. Took 2 days for them to settle in and know it's just fun and watch them explore and be curious.

Aleos Oricos - 9 years ago

Do you still have your pea puffers?

Ian B - 9 years ago

+TheRick2325 Why did you give them away?

TheRick2325 - 9 years ago

+Aleos Oricos No I dont, I gave them away to a friend a while ago

Dakota Outdoors - 9 years ago

what have you kept with pea puffers ? ive got one in a planted 20gal and id like to add some more fish too the tank

TheRick2325 - 9 years ago

+DmRushed I had them with ember tetras and small apistos without any issues

Mauricio Nava - 9 years ago

What are the best snails to feed them

george elve - 9 years ago

I just got a pea puffer and threw it in my snail tank but it doesn't seem to be killing the snails. I want to get another but i cant seem to figure out the sex of mine for sure.

george elve - 8 years ago

Thanks but i'm already growing a male. My female is about 7" long now. Gonna take a while for the male to catch up.

Rachel La - 8 years ago

the males have wrinkles around the eyes and lines down their tummies. females just have spots

Johanan Micaiah - 10 years ago

You NEED to feed them snails, if u don't their teeth will get overgrown and they will starve to death, unless u trim their teeth which is extremely stressful for the fish

Bagel God - 7 years ago

This is actually not really true. That's required for large puffers, but for pea puffers, they just like eating the body inside the shells. U can just leave them some shells, but they won't eat them. They might use it for their teeth, but for the most part, all they're gonna do is eat the inside of the shell only (only the snail or something else the lives in it)

K C - 7 years ago

From what I have heard, pea puffers, unlike normal puffers, don't have teeth that overgrow. And when eating snails they don't always eat the shells but still like the love food

Johanan Micaiah - 9 years ago

+Chainsaw Reptiles No, but that's besides the point since i've researched about them... Just because you've kept something doesn't mean you instantly know every thing about them

Manuela Penela - 9 years ago

I put sand in one end, small gravel in the other and planting substrate in terra cotta pots for some of the plants with deeper roots. The puffers spend NO time on the gravel. (the gobies do.) I definitely feed over the sand area as food on the floor is easily seen and eaten up whereas food in the gravel is simply lost. Besides, it's easier to we the puffers against the sand.

Christopher S. - 9 years ago

No in fact you don't. Normally they do eat snails and if you've seen them eat snails, they usually grab onto the foot of the snail and suck them out. Their teeth are so small it really doesn't matter. If they were to eat snails to wear down their teeth, they snails would have to be miniscule. It is a good nutrition source however