Can Pea Puffer Live With Jack Dempsey Cichlid?
Pea Puffer is aggressive and will likely attack or stress tank mates.
Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Pea Puffer | Jack Dempsey Cichlid | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–82°F | 72–86°F | 74–82°F ✓ |
| pH Range | 7–8 | 6.5–8 | 7–8 ✓ |
| Temperament | aggressive | aggressive | Aggression risk ✗ |
| Max Size | 1" | 10" | Size mismatch ✗ |
| Min Tank Size | 5 gal | 55 gal | 55 gal minimum together |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore | — |
| Care Level | intermediate | intermediate | — |
Species Profiles
Pea Puffer
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea puffers are the smallest freshwater pufferfish in the world, growing to just 1 inch. Despite their tiny size, they have big personalities — they are curious, intelligent, and surprisingly aggressive. They are best kept in species-only tanks and require live or frozen food.
Full care guide →Jack Dempsey Cichlid
Rocio octofasciata
Named after the legendary boxer, Jack Dempsey cichlids are large, territorial Central American cichlids with iridescent blue-green spangles across their dark body. They are aggressive, intelligent, and interactive — many owners report them coming to the glass to greet them. The electric blue Jack Dempsey variant is significantly less aggressive and more colorful.
Full care guide →