Dwarf Indian Puffer (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)

Care parameters

Water temperature

22–28 °C

pH

7.5–8.3

GH hardness

9–19 dGH

Adult length

2.6–3.9 cm

Minimum tank

25 L

Water layer

Bottom-dwelling

Difficulty

Moderate

Temperament

Curious, bold and not to be trusted with tankmates' fins

Origin

South Asia (India)

Species overview

Carinotetraodon travancoricus is a Tetraodontidae from South Asia (India). Its beak never stops growing — hard-shelled prey is not a treat but maintenance. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 2.6–3.9 cm. Singly, with room to patrol. Offer snails routinely, keep water pristine, and choose tankmates (if any) larger than its interest. Maintain 22–28 °C at pH 7.5–8.3. A rewarding species for the aquarist who reads before buying.

Native biotope

Habitat

Estuaries and brackish shallows

Flow

Still to gentle

Dissolved O₂

High oxygen appreciated

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate

Fine sand

Hardscape

Open sand with sparse decor

Plants

Sparse hardy plants

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling

Singly, with room to patrol

Diet

Needs crunchy prey: snails and shellfish trim the ever-growing teeth

Recommended tankmates

• Brackish companions where appropriate — Match the salinity carefully

Avoid keeping with

• Slow or long-finned fish — Fins are trimmed on sight

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism

Unclear

Breeding method

Spawning reported rarely; courtship on the substrate