Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer Compatibility Overview
Short answer: No. Pea puffers will eat nerite snails. Keep them in separate tanks, or pick one of the safer tank mates listed below.
Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer are generally not recommended to be housed together. Pea puffers will eat nerite snails. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.
| Factor | Nerite Snail | Pea Puffer | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–85°F | 74–82°F | ✅ 74–82°F |
| pH Range | 6.5–8.5 | 7.0–8.0 | ✅ 7.0–8.0 |
| Temperament | peaceful | semi | ⚠️ Monitor |
| Adult Size | 1 in | 1 in | ✅ Similar |
| Min. Group | 1+ | 1+ | See below |
| Min. Tank Size | 20 gallons (for both species) | — | |
Compatibility Positives
Incompatibility Reasons
Species Profiles
Nerite Snail — Nerita spp.
Outstanding algae-eating snails that do not reproduce in freshwater. Extremely hardy and compatible with virtually all peaceful fish.
→ Full Nerite Snail care guide
Pea Puffer — Carinotetraodon travancoricus
World's smallest pufferfish — intensely territorial and nippy despite tiny size. Will attack fins and eat shrimp and snails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nerite Snail live with Pea Puffer?
Generally not recommended. Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer are generally not recommended to be housed together. Pea puffers will eat nerite snails. Review the behavior and water details before deciding whether to attempt the pairing.
What tank size do I need for Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer together?
A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for keeping Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer together. A larger tank improves water stability and reduces territorial conflict.
What temperature suits both Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer?
74–82°F — inside Nerite Snail's 65–85°F and Pea Puffer's 74–82°F.
Is a Nerite Snail aggressive toward a Pea Puffer?
Nerite Snail is peaceful and Pea Puffer is semi. No major aggression issues are expected between these species.
Safer Tank Mates for Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer
The highest-scoring compatible partners for each species in our compatibility data.
For Nerite Snail
- Cherry Shrimp — 96/100
- Glowlight Danio — 96/100
- Pearl Danio — 93/100
- Pygmy Corydoras — 93/100
- Neon Tetra — 92/100
For Pea Puffer
- Threadfin Rainbowfish — 90/100
- Zebra Danio — 85/100
- Black Neon Tetra — 83/100
- Glowlight Tetra — 83/100
- Lemon Tetra — 83/100
Related Compatibility Guides
Tank Size for Nerite Snail and Pea Puffer
Use the scenario that matches the actual group sizes and temperament you plan to keep.
| Scenario | Tank | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum viable | 20 gal | Only for the recommended minimum groups, mature filtration, and close monitoring. |
| Recommended community | 29 gal | Adds territory, swimming room, and a safer buffer for behavior. |
| Low-conflict setup | 40 gal | Best when keeping larger schools or reducing territorial pressure. |