Can Betta Fish Live With Pea Puffer?
No, pea puffers are aggressive fin-nippers that will attack betta fins and vice versa.
Why
- Pea puffers grow to 1.4 inches and are notoriously aggressive fin-nippers in the aquarium hobby.
- They target slow-moving fish with flowing fins, which describes a betta perfectly.
- Bettas are also aggressive and will attack any fish they perceive as threatening their territory.
- Two aggressive fish in a small tank leads to constant fighting and stress for both species.
What could go wrong
The pea puffer nips the betta fins repeatedly until infection sets in, or the betta kills the puffer outright.
If you keep them in separate tanks
Sized for the 10 gallon minimum this pairing needs. Affiliate links — we earn a small commission if you buy through them.
AquaClear 20 Power Filter
Rated for up to 10 gallons with enough biological media to handle the waste from both species.
Eheim Jager 100W Thermostat Heater
Holds a steady temperature inside the 76-82°F window both species need.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Keep ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in check. Two-species tanks have more bioload and less margin for error than single-species setups.
Better pairings to consider
Pea puffers do well in species tanks or with amano shrimp. Bettas do well in species tanks or with peaceful bottom dwellers like corydoras.
Related compatibility questions
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