Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
intermediate careOverview
The pygmy corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) is one of the smallest catfish in the hobby at under 3 cm, and a rare cory that genuinely suits nano aquariums. Unlike its larger relatives it spends a good deal of time shoaling in open mid-water, so a group flits about the tank like tiny schooling fish before dropping down to forage. Keep a generous shoal and they become a mesmerising, peaceful centrepiece for a small planted tank.
Tank & water
A shoal of eight fits a well-planted 40-litre (10-gallon) tank. Hold 22–26 °C with a small heater and a gentle filter — strong flow overwhelms such a small fish.
- Fine, smooth substrate: sand or rounded gravel protects their delicate barbels — see best aquarium sand and gravel and the substrate hub.
- Dense planting: cover and fine-leaved plants give them confidence to shoal in the open.
- Watch stocking: in a nano, stay well within limits — read how many fish in an aquarium.
Feeding
Pygmies are omnivores with tiny mouths, so food size is everything. Offer crushed micro-pellets, powdered and sinking granules, baby brine shrimp and finely crushed wafers. Use a fine sinking food and see our best fish food picks. Feed little and often, clearing any excess to protect water quality, and remember that in a small tank a tiny overfeed goes a long way toward a nitrate spike.
Tankmates
Peaceful to the point of being timid, pygmy corys need equally gentle company — small rasboras, ember tetras, cherry shrimp and other small corys like the panda. Avoid anything large enough to view them as a snack, including bigger community fish. They also mix well with the bronze cory in a larger tank.
Frequently asked questions
The pygmy corydoras brings genuine shoaling behaviour to a nano tank. Give it a big group, fine substrate and stable water, and it is one of the most charming small fish you can keep.
Pygmy corydoras — frequently asked questions
Can pygmy corydoras live in a nano tank?
Yes. At under 3 cm they are one of the few corys suited to a 40-litre nano tank, provided it is well planted and fully cycled. Keep a decent shoal of eight or more — a bigger group makes a bigger visual impact in a small tank.
Do pygmy corydoras swim in mid-water?
More than most corys, yes. Pygmies often hover and shoal in open mid-water as well as foraging on the bottom, behaving almost like a tiny schooling fish. This makes a group especially lively to watch.
What can I feed such a small fish?
Small foods only — crushed micro-pellets, powdered fry food, baby brine shrimp and finely crushed sinking wafers. Their tiny mouths can't handle large pellets, so match the food size to the fish.
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