Can pea puffers live with apistogramma?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and apistogramma can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

Pea puffer74–82°F · pH 7–8

Apistogramma75–84°F · pH 5–7

What to watch

Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
Watch outPea puffers are aggressive. Apistogramma hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 75–82°F.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

	Pea puffer	Apistogramma
Temperature	74–82 °F	75–84 °F
pH	7–8	5–7
Adult size	1.0 in	3.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Bottom
Group	Alone or in pairs	Alone or in pairs
Diet	Carnivore	Carnivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

CrayfishYes

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for apistogramma

All apistogramma tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with apistogramma?

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and apistogramma can share a tank, but watch one thing. Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.

What temperature suits both pea puffers and apistogramma?

75–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, apistogramma need 75–84 °F.

What size tank do pea puffers and apistogramma need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the apistogramma. Add space for each extra fish.