Pygmy Corydoras tank mates
Corydoras pygmaeus
6 rated pairings from the Pygmy Corydoras care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Pygmy Corydoras needs at least 10 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
3 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
10 gal min · 0.8" adult · Peaceful
Small, gentle schooling fish that thrive in the same warm, slightly acidic conditions
Dwarf Hairgrass
Eleocharis parvula
Low-growing plant provides shelter and natural foraging substrate for pygmy corydoras
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.
Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
5 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful invertebrates that occupy different ecological niches and won't compete for food
Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Similar size and peaceful nature; both are bottom-dwellers but occupy different feeding niches
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbarius corneus
5 gal min · 0.75" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful scavengers that help maintain tank cleanliness without competing for food
Also recommended alongside Pygmy Corydoras
Species whose own guides list Pygmy Corydoras as a tank mate.
Clown Killifish
Epiplatys annulatus
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
African Dwarf Frog
Hymenochirus boettgeri
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Least Killifish
Heterandria formosa
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
10 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Betta Brownorum
Betta brownorum
20 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Black Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
10 gal min · 1.75" adult · Peaceful
Bluefin Killifish
Lucania goodei
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Brevis Shell Dweller
Neolamprologus brevis
20 gal min · 1.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Day's Paradise Fish
Pseudosphromenus dayi
10 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Desert Goby
Chlamydogobius eremius
10 gal min · 2.4" adult · Peaceful
Eel Loach
Pangio anguillaris
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Eggers' Notho
Nothobranchius eggersi
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
False Bandit Corydoras
Corydoras melini
10 gal min · 1.3" adult · Peaceful
Featherfin Tetra
Hemigrammus unilineatus
20 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Golden Topminnow
Fundulus chrysotus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Kilombero Notho
Nothobranchius kilomberoensis
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Least Rasbora
Boraras urophthalmoides
5 gal min · 0.8" adult · Peaceful
Loreto Corydoras
Corydoras loretoensis
20 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Palmqvist's Notho
Nothobranchius palmqvisti
5 gal min · 1.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Redtail Goodeid
Xenotoca eiseni
20 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Six-Barred Panchax
Epiplatys sexfasciatus
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Snakeskin Barb
Desmopuntius rhomboocellatus
20 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Spike-tailed Paradise Fish
Pseudosphromenus cupanus
10 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Swordtail Characin
Corynopoma riisei
20 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.