Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Callichthyidae
📍 South America
One of the smallest corydoras species, pygmy corydoras are unusual in that they often swim in the midwater rather than staying on the bottom. They form tight shoals and look stunning in large groups in nano and planted aquariums.
Care Guide
Diet
Pygmy corydoras are omnivores requiring a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets, frozen daphnia, and micro worms. Feed small amounts once daily, ensuring food reaches the bottom where they forage. Supplement occasionally with blanched vegetables like zucchini to maintain digestive health.
Behavior
These tiny catfish are unusual among corydoras for spending significant time in the midwater column rather than exclusively on the bottom, though they still forage along the substrate. They are highly social and form tight, cohesive shoals that display coordinated swimming patterns, making them stunning in groups of 10 or more. They are peaceful, non-aggressive, and most active during dawn and dusk.
Breeding
Breeding pygmy corydoras in captivity is possible but challenging and rarely occurs in home aquariums. They require pristine water conditions, cooler temperatures (around 22°C), and plenty of fine-leaved plants for egg-laying sites. Success is unpredictable and requires patience, experience, and ideal conditions.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Small, gentle schooling fish that thrive in the same warm, slightly acidic conditions
Peaceful invertebrates that occupy different ecological niches and won't compete for food
Low-growing plant provides shelter and natural foraging substrate for pygmy corydoras
Similar size and peaceful nature; both are bottom-dwellers but occupy different feeding niches
Peaceful scavengers that help maintain tank cleanliness without competing for food
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or commercial ich treatment; treat for 10-14 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, maintain pristine conditions, use antibacterial medication if severe; remove any sharp tank décor
Bacterial Infection
Cloudy eyes, sores on body, loss of appetite, erratic swimming
Perform 50% water change immediately, maintain excellent water quality, use broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment; isolate if possible to prevent spread
Parasitic Infection
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites, clamped fins
Use anti-parasitic medication as directed, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish; improve tank conditions to prevent recurrence
Community Photos
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by @plantedscapes
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Tanks keeping this 🐟
Kept by 2 hobbyistsCommunity tanks featuring Pygmy Corydoras.
Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – micro pellets, daphnia, micro worms, sinking wafers
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 3.2 cm (1.3 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- school size
- 10+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)