Puffer Care Sheet
Various (Tetraodon, Dichotomyctere)
Intelligent, curious fish with the ability to inflate when threatened. Puffers have fused beak-like teeth that need to be worn down by eating hard-shelled foods.
74–82°F
7–8
30 gallons
5–10 years
1–6 inches (2.5–15 cm) depending on species
Varies — pea puffers can be kept in groups; larger species are solitary
Difficult for most species. Some freshwater species (pea puffers) breed more readily in heavily planted tanks.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivore — snails (essential for dental wear), frozen foods, shrimp, clams, mussels, bloodworms. Must provide hard-shelled foods to keep beak trimmed.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater environments. Figure eight puffers need brackish water; pea puffers are fully freshwater.
Care Tips
MUST provide snails regularly to wear down their ever-growing beak/teeth
Highly intelligent — recognize their owners, beg for food, and explore
Most species are aggressive — research species-specific tank-mate options
Never inflate a puffer intentionally — it causes extreme stress and can kill them
Pea puffers are the best choice for smaller tanks and community setups