Dwarf puffer size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 3 cm. The largest on record measured 3.5 cm (total length). The smallest of the 4 Carinotetraodon species on LumaReef (Redeye Puffer is the largest, 6 cm).

Dwarf puffer tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 45 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Dwarf puffer water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–18 °dGH. Close to what most Carinotetraodon on LumaReef need (20–28 °C).

Dwarf puffer tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 64 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Green neon tetra, Lambchop rasbora, and Endler's livebearer.

Dwarf puffer: is it endangered?

The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable. Threatened among the 32 assessed Tetraodontidae species on LumaReef: 2.

FreshwaterComing soon160 coinsUncommon

Dwarf puffer

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

A three-centimetre hunter hovering like a helicopter, eyes swiveling apart.

The Dwarf puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Tetraodontidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 3 cm; the largest on record measured 3.5 cm (total length). The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 45 cm long and water at 23–28 °C.

Size: 3 cm
Smallest tank: 45 cm
Temperature: 23–28 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature23–28 °C

pH7.0–8.0

Hardness8–18 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres21 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres60 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres100 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres216 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres400 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres480 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along64 species

and 40 more species

Caution33 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together2 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: On the bottom
Largest on record: 3.5 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderTetraodontiformes
FamilyTetraodontidae
GenusCarinotetraodon
SpeciesCarinotetraodon travancoricus
Described byHora & Nair, 1941

In other languages

English: Dwarf Indian Puffer

Quick answers

Dwarf puffer size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 3 cm. The largest on record measured 3.5 cm (total length). The smallest of the 4 Carinotetraodon species on LumaReef (Redeye Puffer is the largest, 6 cm).
Dwarf puffer tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 45 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Dwarf puffer water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–28 °C, pH 7.0–8.0, hardness 8–18 °dGH. Close to what most Carinotetraodon on LumaReef need (20–28 °C).
Dwarf puffer tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 64 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Green neon tetra, Lambchop rasbora, and Endler's livebearer.
Dwarf puffer: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Dwarf puffer and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.
Dwarf puffer: is it endangered?: The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable. Threatened among the 32 assessed Tetraodontidae species on LumaReef: 2.