Compatibility brief
Can African freshwater butterflyfish live with Pea Puffer?
Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.
Compatibility score
Profile confidence: medium
How we decideFishori checks adult size and predation risk, behaviour, water requirements and tank needs before giving a verdict.
150L
Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 150L (larger active fish often want more length).
African freshwater butterflyfish (about 10cm as an adult) can realistically eat Pea Puffer (about 3cm) once grown. Plan around adult sizes, not shop sizes.
Pea Puffer is a fin nipper and African freshwater butterflyfish is vulnerable to nipping — long fins are a common target even when water parameters match.
Assessment details
Temperament difference
Pea Puffer is semi-aggressive, while African freshwater butterflyfish is peaceful. Expect chasing or stress unless the tank is large and heavily structured — monitor closely.
African freshwater butterflyfish may eat Pea Puffer
Top issueAfrican freshwater butterflyfish (10cm) is predatory and Pea Puffer (3cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.
Fin nipping risk
Pea Puffer is a known fin nipper and African freshwater butterflyfish has long, flowing fins. Pea Puffer will likely harass African freshwater butterflyfish.
Compatible temperature range
Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.
“African freshwater butterflyfish (10cm) is predatory and Pea…”
African freshwater butterflyfish may eat Pea Puffer
Next steps
Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.
- •Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so African freshwater butterflyfish can escape if harassed.
- •Avoid keeping Pea Puffer with long-finned fish like African freshwater butterflyfish.
- •Pea Puffer should be kept in a group of at least 6 for best health and behaviour.
Try instead
- →Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
- Seriously Fish. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: aquarium size, water chemistry, temperament and compatibility (primary care reference).
- FishBase. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: taxonomy and wild maximum size — translate to tank stocking, not a target number.
- Wikipedia. Pantodon buchholzi
Supports: general species background and common-name orientation only.
- Seriously Fish. Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).
- FishBase. Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.
- Wikipedia. Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.
Try this next
Build the full stocking list with African freshwater butterflyfish + Pea Puffer
Plan further
Check each species’ mates list, size the glass, then verify the full stock in the builder. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.
Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.
Profile data confidence: high. Checked against several solid care sources that mostly agree.