Best for
Aquariums where its role fits: predator.
D
Fish · Freshwater
Dwarf puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Dwarf puffer is a popular community aquarium fish.
Difficulty
Beginner
Aggression
8/10
Schooling
Yes
Size
5.00 cm
Minimum volume
40 L
Temperature
22.0-28.0 ºC
Zone
Midwater
Lifespan
5 years
Quick profile scan
fish
Territoriality
High
Aggression
8/10
Activity
Moderate
Thermal sensitivity
Medium
Bioload
Low
Speed
Moderate
Predation risk
Structural
Expert calculator
Check whether this species fits your aquarium
Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.
Expert read
Quick verdict
A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.
Avoid
Mixes marked as high risk or not recommended in manual relationships.
Compatible with
Has positive or conditional references with species such as Zebra danio.
Typical risk
Stability depends on temperature, group size, and real compatibility.
Aquarium zone
Where it lives best
Surface
Midwater
primary
Bottom
Quick compatibility
Community signals
Shrimp
High risk
Snails
High risk
Slow fish
High risk
Aggressive fish
High risk
Small fish
Not recommended
Large fish
Compatible
Delicate plants
Conditional
Buying decision
Before buying Dwarf puffer
Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.
L
Adult volume
Make sure your aquarium is above 40 L before buying it.
G
Minimum group
Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.
T
Territory and cover
Prepare visual cover and calm areas if it will live with other species.
P
Prey risk
Do not mix it with fish or invertebrates that may fit in its adult mouth.
Parameters
Water conditions
pH
6.5 - 7.5
GH
5 - 15
KH
3 - 10
Temperature
22.0 - 28.0 ºC
Growth and behavior
Juvenile to adult
Juvenile
Juveniles may look more tolerant, but they already show exploratory and opportunistic behavior. Plan the community around adult size, not only the young stage.
Shift
Territorial behavior may become more evident with sexual maturity or during breeding periods.
Adult
As an adult it strongly shapes the community through size, mouth capacity and feeding behavior. It should only be kept with robust, proportionate species and enough space.
Ecological profile
Role and biological pressure
Predator
Predator
Small
Low
Moderate
Structural
Profile: predatory species, with low bioload and primary use of the midwater area. It can adapt to calm communities, although it usually behaves better with compatible companions. It should not be mixed with fish or invertebrates small enough to fit in its mouth. Provide hiding places, visual barriers and enough room to prevent constant pressure. Avoid pairing it with slow or long-finned fish if the group size or space is insufficient.
Ecological radar
profile
Territoriality
78%
Aggression
80%
Activity
52%
Thermal sensitivity
52%
Bioload
24%
Common mistakes
What to avoid
Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.
Keeping too few individuals for a social species.
Mixing it with species small enough to become prey.
Designing the aquarium without shelter or visual barriers.
Relations
Compatible with
✓
Zebra danio
Conditional
Main risk: Territorial behavior
Review conditions
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Danio rerio: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
B
Bronze cory
Conditional
Main risk: Territorial behavior
Review conditions
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Corydoras aeneus: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
K
Kuhli loach
Conditional
Main risk: Territorial behavior
Review conditions
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Pangio kuhlii: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
Relations
Avoid keeping with
!
Siamese Fighting Fish
Not recommended
Main risk: Fin nipping
Not recommended
Betta splendens + Carinotetraodon travancoricus: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
C
Cherry shrimp
Not recommended
Main risk: Predation
Not recommended
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Neocaridina davidi: shrimp, fry or small invertebrates may be at risk from curiosity, harassment or opportunistic predation.
T
Tiger barb
Not recommended
Main risk: Territorial behavior
Not recommended
Puntigrus tetrazona + Carinotetraodon travancoricus: territoriality, dominance or competition for calm areas of the aquarium may occur.
Guppy
High risk
Main risk: Fin nipping
High risk
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Poecilia Reticulata: there is a risk of fin nipping, harassment or stress in slow, nervous or long-finned species.
J
Japonica shrimp
High risk
Main risk: Predation
High risk
Carinotetraodon travancoricus + Caridina japonica: shrimp, fry or small invertebrates may be at risk from curiosity, harassment or opportunistic predation.
Essential care
Keep in groups of at least 6 specimens. It prefers tanks with open swimming space, some current and weekly water changes.
Daily time
10 min
Breeding
It is an egg-laying fish and relatively easy to breed. It scatters eggs among plants or over the substrate and provides no parental care.
Oviparous
Easy
Hembras más redondeadas y robustas. Machos más esbeltos y algo más amarillentos.
Alerts and health
- Mantener en grupo
- Espacio para nadar
- Acuario tapado
- Corriente suave a moderada
Common issues
Ich
Podredumbre de aletas
Parásitos externos
Expert notes
Interesting details
01
Es una de las especies más usadas en investigación biomédica
02
Sus rayas permanecen visibles durante toda la vida
03
Es un pez muy activo y gregario
Editorial confidence
Last review: June 2026
Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.
Profile data
Ecological profile
Manual relationships
General aquarium observation
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