40 Gallon Tank Overcrowding Pea Puffers- Yes or No?

Hello, is it best to slightly over crowd a Pea Puffer tank similar to an African Cichlid tank? I'm looking into a 40 gallon breeder Pea Puffer tank right now. I used AqAdvisor and it said 13 Peas would require 103% of the space. In that situation, would it be best to downsize the group to about 11 or overcrowd a bit? I know the decor really matters and it would be filled to the brim with silk plants while I work on getting some live ones growing (I only seem to be good with slow-growers).

 

You will find so many different opinions on what works with pea puffer numbers. I have two in a 7.5g which goes against the ‘5g per fish’ rule but so far it works for me. I’ve filled the tank with java fern and moss with some spiderwood too - I struggle to find them sometimes.

I wouldn’t have said overstocking like you would with mbuna would work though - you can have plenty in a tank that size but they need their own space with their own territories. Plant it densely with broken lines of sight and you should be able to keep a decent number in there.

 

I have 7 in a 20g long and I have zero issues whatsoever. I keep them with two small plecos and 4 paleatus corydoras and its a super peaceful tank.

Honestly they are a great puffer species that shoals together. The theoretical way and practical ways of keeping them don't line up.

If you get a good scape with lots of plants, texture, hardscape, and its not just a bare bottom or basically empty, you won't have any issues. I would say 12-15 would work if you make sure the tank has lots of scape for them to cruise around in.

 

I ended up getting a 45 gallon tank. It's 36"L, 12"D, 24"H. Would that be enough space for 13 Peas if I had tall enough plants? Or could I add more Peas?

 

I ended up getting a 45 gallon tank. It's 36"L, 12"D, 24"H. Would that be enough space for 13 Peas if I had tall enough plants? Or could I add more Peas?

I think you could put 13 peas in there. with a tank that size, you could have several different options. you could do a big shoal of peas or you could get a group of another of the community puffers

 

I think you could put 13 peas in there. with a tank that size, you could have several different options. you could do a big shoal of peas or you could get a group of another of the community puffers

I'm gonna stick with Pea Puffers. I found some silk plants used for terrariums that are made for the sides of the tank, so hopefully that will provide some vertical hiding space.

I'm gonna stick with Pea Puffers. I found some silk plants used for terrariums that are made for the sides of the tank, so hopefully that will provide some vertical hiding space.

I think 13 would be the max I could have in the 45 gallon since it's a taller tank rather than longer or deeper. Could maybe 17 go in if the tank was completely full of hiding spots and line of sight breaks. If not, that's no biggie.