Can pea puffers live with swordtails?

Verdict

Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and swordtails can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 5 inches a swordtail can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

Pea puffer74–82°F · pH 7–8

Swordtail72–79°F · pH 7–8.3

What to watch

Watch outAt 5 inches a swordtail can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Watch outPea puffers are aggressive. Swordtails hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.

What works

Both are fine at 74–79°F.
pH 7–8 suits both.

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	Swordtail
Temperature	74–82 °F	72–79 °F
pH	7–8	7–8.3
Adult size	1.0 in	5.0 in
Minimum tank	5 gal	30 gal
Temperament	Aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 3+
Diet	Carnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for pea puffers

CrayfishYes

All pea puffer tank mates

Better tank mates for swordtails

All swordtail tank mates

Questions

Can pea puffers live with swordtails?

Yes, with care. Pea puffers and swordtails can share a tank, but watch one thing. At 5 inches a swordtail can swallow a small pea puffer. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.

What temperature suits both pea puffers and swordtails?

74–79 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, swordtails need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do pea puffers and swordtails need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the swordtail. Add space for each extra fish.