Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Family: Callichthyidae • Origin: South America
Pygmy Corydoras are the smallest cory species. Unlike other corys, they hover in midwater in a school rather than staying on the bottom.
Min Tank
5 gal
Max Size
1"
Temperature
72-79°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
4 years
School Size
8+
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
2-12 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Swim in midwater unlike other corys
- • Keep in groups of 8-10
- • One of the smallest catfish
- • Only with nano tankmates
- • Micro foods required
Feeding: Micro foods: crushed pellets, baby brine shrimp, micro worms.
Compatibility Notes: Unlike other corys, pygmies swim in midwater rather than staying on bottom. Only keep with nano fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 5 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
- Minimum School Size
- 8+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–12
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
Unlike other corys, pygmies swim in midwater rather than staying on bottom. Only keep with nano fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- moderate
- Lifespan
- 4 years
Ideal For
5 gallonnano tankplanted tankshrimp tank
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Corydoras Hastatus
Corydoras hastatus
72-79°FpH 6-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1"
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
72-79°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 4+2"
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
64-75°FpH 5.5-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.3"
Corydoras Habrosus
Corydoras habrosus
72-79°FpH 6-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1"