Tiny, fierce, and full of personality, Pea Puffers are the smallest pufferfish in the world, known for their unique combination of cuteness and aggression. If you’re already an owner or considering adding one to your aquarium, it’s crucial to choose the right tank mates to create a harmonious environment. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the 15 best tank mates for Pea Puffers, ensuring a peaceful and thriving community.
Pea Puffers, though small, can be quite territorial and aggressive, making it essential to pair them with the right companions. Ideal tank mates include non-aggressive, fast-swimming fish that won’t provoke the puffers or compete for space.
From the playful Zebra Danios to the peaceful Otocinclus, discover how to build a balanced aquatic community that keeps your Pea Puffer happy and stress-free. Dive into our curated list and find the perfect friends for your Pea Puffer today!
Contents
Pea Puffer Tank Mates – What You Need To Know
Pea Puffers are small, but that doesn’t mean they are harmless. On the contrary, they have a funny combination of being both inquisitive fish and actually pretty aggressive. This is important to keep in mind when building your community.
Pea Puffers are also shoaling fish and are most comfortable when in a group of at least six, although more is better. A group of six should be kept in a 20 gallon tank minimum.
You can keep these fish between 72 and 82 degrees F. They are carnivorous and love to eat.
Much of their aggression can stem from feeling unsafe, so give them lots of vegetation and other hiding places. Of course, it helps to have a large tank, too. They may still nip at fins, though.
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15 Best Pea Puffer Tank Mates
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1. Zebra Danios
- Scientific Name: Danio Rerio
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 64 to 74° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South Asia
The ever-popular, ever-playful Zebra Danios are fantastic tankmates for Pea Puffers because they are dither fish. Dither fish aren’t overly attached to one tank level but move through all layers. From top to bottom.
Due to their playful nature and the fact that they move around the entire tank, Zebra Danios are great at calming aggressive fish, like the Pea Puffer, down. And if your Pea Puffer feels more at ease, it’s less likely to cause trouble with all its other tankmates.
Zebra Danios are schooling fish, so keep them in a group of five or so and watch out for fin-nipping! These critters are small, fast, and playful, so slow fish with shiny fins can get targeted.
These fish love lots of vegetation in their tank. They’re omnivorous and not picky, so you can feed them what you want.
2. Kuhli Loach
- Scientific Name: Pangio Kuhlii
- Adult Size: 3 – 4 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 73 to 86° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Southeast Asia
Kuhli Loaches are shy bottom-dwellers that are social enough to be good in a community but aren’t schooling fish, so they can be in your aquarium without others of their breed.
They make great tank mates with Pea Puffers because the Kuhli Loach is non-aggressive, and its timidity will keep the aggressive pea puffer from feeling threatened. They may even burrow down into the substrate for weeks at a time!
Make sure to have a fine enough substrate not to hurt their skin. They’re omnivores, so give them whatever you like.
3. Otocinclus
- Scientific Name: Otocinclus sp.
- Adult Size: 1 – 2 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
These little algae-sucking catfish know how to keep a tank clean. You’ll often find them at night with their mouths up against the side of your tank.
What makes these little guys such great tank mates with Pea Puffers is just how much they hate conflict. They will run in the opposite direction if they feel threatened, giving the territorial Pea Puffer plenty of room to be top dog.
They feel more comfortable around other Otos, so consider getting a few at the same time. Give them plenty of vegetation to hide behind and feed them algae to keep them happy and healthy.
4. Neon Tetras
- Scientific Name: Paracheirodon Innesi
- Adult Size: 1 inch
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 70 to 81° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Brazil, Peru, and Colombia
The bright Neon Tetra comes from the Amazon basin. They stay active around the tank. You can find them quickly moving from one end of the tank to the other.
Neon Tetras make great tank mates with Pea Puffers because they’re peaceful and non-aggressive. They’re schooling fish, so make sure to keep them in a group, or they’ll start to nip at fins.
If you give them plenty of vegetation, these shiny blue and red swimmers will hide if they feel threatened. These omnivores like a balanced diet, so provide them with a variety pack.
Even though these fish are durable, it’s better to introduce them to a well-established community. So keep that in mind when starting a fresh tank.
5. Ember Tetra
- Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon Amandae
- Adult Size: 0.8 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 70 to 82° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Brazil
The fiery-red Ember Tetra is just as spirited as its name makes it sound. These playful fish love to zip around the tank in groups, as they are schooling fish.
The Ember Tetra would make a good tank mate for Pea Puffers because, although they are spirited, they aren’t aggressive. And due to their size, they aren’t likely to make your Pea Puffer defensive.
Just make sure to keep them in a group of 8 so they’re happy, with plenty of vegetation for them to swim around. Consider adding some driftwood, too.
They are omnivores, but their mouths are pretty tiny. So crush up anything you feed them that they won’t be able to swallow.
6. Cherry Shrimp
- Scientific Name: Neocaridina Davidi
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- Compatible With: Non-Predatory Fish
- Water Temperature: 65 to 85° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Taiwan
These beautiful ruby shrimp are slow-moving and peaceful, although they have a nervous nature. However, they look like a tasty snack to any larger, predatory fish so keep that in mind when choosing other tank mates.
Cherry Shrimp make great tank mates with Pea Puffers because they hang out at the bottom of the tank and keep to themselves.
The aggressive Pea Puffer may give them some trouble, but they’re both relatively small, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Just keep in mind that a larger tank will provide all of your fish more room to spread out.
The shrimp like to hang out in groups of ten or so, but they are pretty resilient for their species. So you won’t have much trouble with them. They’ll even clean your tank!
7. Pygmy Corys
- Scientific Name: Corydoras Pygmaeus
- Adult Size: 1 inch
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 72 to 79° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
The common Pygmy Cory can be found at nearly every fish store because they are easy to care for and never cause any trouble. They hang out at the bottom of the tank and love to have lots of vegetation to swim around and hide in.
They are a good tank mate for Pea Puffers because they are notoriously non-aggressive. It helps to have some friendly fish around to keep your Puffers relaxed!
Pygmy Corys are schooling fish. It’s recommended to keep them in a group of eight or so. They are tiny omnivores so give them a well-balanced diet of both plants and meat. Just be sure that it’s reaching them at the bottom before all the other fish eat it up.
8. Chili Rasboras
- Scientific Name: Boraras Brigittae
- Adult Size: 0.7 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 68 to 82° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 8 gallons
- Care Level: Intermediate
- Origin: Indonesia
Tiny and active, Chili Rasboras can be found in large schools of ten or more swimming around in open water. Schools in open water have a calming effect on other fish, including your tenacious little Pea Puffer.
That’s what makes them so great to keep together as tank mates. Chili Rasboras are peaceful and tiny, so there won’t be much conflict.
As mentioned, keep them in groups of at least six but if you can handle more they prefer to be in large groups of twenty or more. They eat some plants but are more geared towards a carnivorous diet.
9. Glowlight Tetra
- Scientific Name: Hemigrammus Erythrozonus
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 74 to 82° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Guyana
Bright and lively, Glowlight Tetras are popular picks for many tanks. These peaceful South American fish are schooling fish, so keep them in a group of five or more.
They make great tank mates with Pea Puffers because they are timid and avoid conflict. If you give them places to hide like tall vegetation, they will hide when threatened. If they are in too small of a group, you will also find them hiding often.
If your Glowlight Tetras feel at ease, they will move around the tank in bright flashing schools. If they feel insecure, they will become territorial.
They will eat almost anything, as they are omnivores. Give them lots of vegetation!
10. Platy Fish
- Scientific Name: Xiphophorus
- Adult Size: 3 inches
- Compatible With: Peaceful Fish
- Water Temperature: 70 to 77° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Mexico
Platy fish come in many varieties and most fish stores will have one or two. The sociable Platies get along with most other fish and are quite peaceful.
Like the other fish on this list, the Platies make good additions to your Pea Puffer tank because of how peaceful and friendly they are. They stay in the middle and top of the tank.
Although they aren’t schooling fish, they’ll feel more comfortable in a group. Consider having six or so of them together.
Being omnivorous fish, they will eat anything you give them. Have lots of plants in your tank for them to swim around in but give them open water to exercise in too.
11. Panda Corys
- Scientific Name: Corydoras Panda
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 68 to 77° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Peru
Just as friendly as their land-locked counterpart, the Panda Corys are social bottom-dwellers that are most active at night. Renowned socialites, the Panda Cory will make everyone feel at home.
This peaceful friendliness makes it a great tank mate for Pea Puffers. Pea Puffers are curious creatures and will often explore around the tank. It helps to have some friendly fish around who make them feel at home.
Omnivorous scavengers, the Panda Cory eats right when you’re going to sleep. Like other bottom feeders, make sure their food is reaching them and not getting eaten up before it reaches them.
12. Bloodfin Tetra
- Scientific Name: Aphyocharax Anisitsi
- Adult Size: 1.5 inches
- Compatible With: Non-predatory fish
- Water Temperature: 70 to 80° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
Very active and playful, Bloodfin Tetras will jump out of the top of your tank if you don’t keep a lid on them!
Despite being so active, these fish are friendly and peaceful which makes them great tank mates for your Pea Puffer.
Keep in mind that they are schooling fish and should be kept in a group of at least six. If you don’t, they’ll become aggressive and start nipping at other fish, especially long-finned fish like Guppies.
Give them lots of open water to swim in, and be sure to have a large enough tank for them to stretch out.
They are omnivores and will eat flake food but mix up their diet if you want them to be happy and healthy.
13. Siamese Algae Eaters
- Scientific Name: Crossocheilus Oblongus
- Adult Size: 6 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 75 to 79° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: Southeast Asia
These algae eaters do just that, swim around and eat algae! They’re bottom-dwellers, but you won’t be including any territorial fish in a Pea Puffer community so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Their peaceful nature makes them a good match for your Pea Puffer. They can grow quite large, but they won’t antagonize your little pea pals.
These fish are primarily herbivores but they scavenge for dead bugs, too. They will eat almost any type of food you put into the tank for them, just don’t overfeed them!
14. Killifish
- Scientific Name: Cyprinodontiformes
- Adult Size: 1-3 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 72 to 75° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
- Care Level: Easy to Advanced
- Origin: Global
There are actually over 1,200 different types of Killifish! But if you pick the small breeds, you’ll have found some great tank mates for your Pea Puffers.
Peaceful and non-aggressive, these fish love to jump so keep a lid on your tank if you don’t want them to escape.
Just give them some places to hide like deadwood and vegetation in case they need to hide. If there are too many males in one tank, they’ll get aggressive toward each other so having space for them to separate is a good idea.
When you decide which breed to get, check their diet. But, most of them are carnivorous.
15. Guppies
- Scientific Name: Poecilia Reticulata
- Adult Size: 2 inches
- Compatible With: Most Fish
- Water Temperature: 74 to 82° F
- Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
- Care Level: Easy
- Origin: South America
Guppies come in a wide variety but these South American fish are playful and friendly. While not a schooling fish, they’ll feel better in a group of at least three.
Their friendliness and sociability make them great tank mates with Pea Puffers. They can get along with almost any fish you put them with. That being said, make sure your Pea Puffer isn’t nipping at their long fins.
They mostly hang out at the top of the tank, but they do move around to say hello. Keep some vegetation for them to play and hide in.
Guppies like eating algae and meat. Feed them a well-balanced, omnivorous diet.
Summary
These 15 best Pea Puffer tank mates will help keep them calm. Many of the fish on this list are dithering fish, which are known to have that effect on aggressive fish.
Now you have to choose which one you want! You can’t go wrong, whether it’s the BloodfinTetra or the Chili Rasbora.
Happy fishing!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pea Puffers can live together?
Six Pea Puffers can live in a 20 gallon tank. If you’re building a community, you’ll want to add enough room for each additional fish you’re putting in there.
Do pea puffers like gravel or sand?
Either coat sand or small gravel can work, just make sure that you are able to keep the plants Pea Puffers like so much alive.
What can I put in a Pea Puffer tank?
There’s no end to what you can put in your Pea Puffer tank, as they love to have lots of places to hide. They are considered prey, so the more you fill the space with hiding places, the safer they will feel.
Ian Sterling, founder of Fishlab.com, began his aquarium journey over 30 years ago, driven by a deep fascination for fish and their diverse personalities. His website, Fishlab.com, is dedicated to making fishkeeping accessible and enjoyable, offering beginner-friendly guidance, expert insights, and a community for aquarists to connect and share experiences.