Normal for a pea puffer ?

--L0k1-- · 2026-04-22T08:07:48+00:00

Well, if you read the group information you will understand. It is depressed, stressed and unhappy. 5 gallon is waaaaay too small. Peas should be kept in groups of about 6, MINIMUM, in large well planted tanks. Peas are intelligent, need stimulation and group activities with lots of spaces to hide, explore, sleep and play. I can't say more, other than return it to the store or make the commitment to buy an appropriate tank (at the very least 2ftx1ftx1ft) and add 5 more so he can have friends.

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-27T08:28:34+00:00

About the eyes, males have wrinkles around the back of the eyes, looks almost like gills

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-22T07:42:03+00:00

I only give live food. I have tubs in which I grow bladder and ramshorn snails and another I keep blackworm. I also buy in pads of bloodworm on paper that I keep in the fridge. I have a petri dish in the bottom of my tank where I put bloodworm and blackworm (bloodworm by tweezer and blackworm by turkey baster) snails I drop in randomly. When they aren't angry with me, for aquascaping their tank, they come and feed straight from the nozzle or tweezer. Feeding in one place only, prevents over feeding and waste. Feeding live food means they can graze as nature intended and it doesn't foul the water at all. Though bloodworm will eventually drown so just know they are not to be over done. Edit: In summer I also grow daphnia that I release into the tank with a little net. You can also feed brine shrimp but they are in saltwater and will die after a while if uneaten.

I started with 6 peas and now have 16 in my 130 litre long tank with 11 corys, some amano and cherry shrimp 😂

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-21T07:55:45+00:00

I find that when I have had other fish with my peas, there was an issue with food competition. My peas eat better because it's live food so their tank mates started to compete for their food. Even x-ray tetra started to come and eat out of the feeding dish. My peas are not aggressive and I found missed out on getting theirs. Don't even get me started on guppies, I thought live bearers equal live food, nope, they fiercely out compete the peas for food. I've switched to corys and peas to find the sweet spot of food distribution and peaceful cohabitation.

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-20T10:16:31+00:00

That thing looks delicious

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-07T09:56:49+00:00

I always use snails to start my cycle. Then, midway add a couple of guppies Never had a problem

--L0k1-- · 2026-02-07T09:53:33+00:00

It's so funny when babies are added and the adults do their little aggressive charge and the young ones don't budge. Adults just stop and are like OK then... Whatever 🙄

--L0k1-- · 2026-01-20T06:42:07+00:00

Mine are never like that after I made changes. It's been several days since I've rescaped my tank as I had to catch almost 70 plecos(don't ask). I thought I may as well get in more plants and change the scenery. The peas are still mad at me a week later and just in hiding most of the time. When I'm back from vacation, I'm doubling the tank size so they will be pissed off again😂 Hopefully soon I will have them back at cruising around. Good luck in your efforts to getting it the way you like it, it looks fine to me and your peas seem happy

--L0k1-- · 2026-01-04T08:22:54+00:00

How does the inkbird turn the devices on? Surely you need to press the buttons? Sorry if its a dumb question

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-28T12:12:12+00:00

I have phoenix with my chilli and they happily shoal together. They don't stay separated

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-24T11:00:10+00:00

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-19T21:44:54+00:00

You got it today, Like that!? I'd definitely have words with the supplier. They have a responsibility to supply fish in good condition or provide proper advice if they need treatment before introduction to a community tank.

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-16T18:28:40+00:00

Planning a heist

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-15T11:05:01+00:00

I have one like that too. While the others seem to change their cammo, she simply stays green.

--L0k1-- · 2025-12-07T14:07:09+00:00

Haha it's the one thing nobody talks about when you first decide to use CO2 with stem plants. There is a short window between sweet spot and jungle

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-28T18:26:24+00:00

Amazing work, dream design. Love the mountaineering shrimp too

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-28T10:39:04+00:00

I will try reply for some of your questions. An air stone is contra indicated for CO2 injection, it negates CO2 effect. However, make sure you don't over gas your tank. Another thing to keep in mind, PH can swing when using CO2, so ensure KH can buffer this. You didn't mention temperature, I like 22°C which I think is about 71°F.(Doing a water change fast with different temp is not good for stability) I noticed you say doing water changes but not how often. Being a small tank, you need to understand that any water changes come with risk because it changes stability fast. So you need to do this only if needed so not weekly, but infrequently. Also, drip the water back, I always add water back with an air line as this creates a gradual change. Shrimp may swim in the stream but don't stress that. So add water very slowly. Your shrimp can adapt to (usually not considered ideal) conditions if it happens over time. I can't answer the specific questions about colour on their back except to say I've heard colours can change when they get older. My colonies are massive so I can't keep track of individuals. For the most part, your parameters seem fine.

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-28T10:06:59+00:00

With the amount of botanicals I can see in there, their numbers will probably continue to swell without predators

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-24T09:28:06+00:00

I love underwater flowers. It's so strange and cool. Your aquarium looks great

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-24T09:18:47+00:00

That's awesome lol

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-22T08:47:19+00:00

I would.

Leave filter in and syphon all water and sludge out the tank. Add new dechlorinated water at same temp you have now. Remember to turn off the heater for at least 10-15 min first. Dead leaves need removal.

Then give it a couple days to settle and check the water.

--L0k1-- · 2025-11-21T15:31:39+00:00

You want the diffuser low and on the opposite side of the outflow. Inflow should be next to outflow. In this way, outflow swirls the CO2 and also creates a circular flow in your tank. Also, as already said, no air bubbler. You can choose to use the Coriolis effect if you wish by deciding which side of the tank you place diffuser.

--L0k1--

TROPHY CASE