All fish / Callichthyidae

Pygmy Corydoras

Corydoras pygmaeus

Also known as pygmy cory, pygmy catfish, dwarf cory, pygmaeus cory, corydoras pygmaeus, pigmy cory, コリドラス・ピグミー, corydoras pygmy, 侏儒鼠鱼, 迷你鼠

This is one of the smallest catfish in the hobby. It has a slim silvery body with a dark stripe running along the side to the tail. Unlike most corydoras it spends much of its time hovering in midwater in loose shoals, which makes it a lively choice for small planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 10 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small sinking pellets, micro granules, frozen and live daphnia, brine shrimp and cyclops

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil, Peru and Ecuador: Madeira, Nanay and upper Amazon tributaries

Breeding

It spawns readily in a mature tank, with females sticking small numbers of eggs on glass and plants over several days. Adults may eat the eggs, so moving them to a separate container improves fry survival, and the fry need infusoria or microworms at first.

Good to know

Its tiny size makes it easy prey for larger fish, so keep it with other small, peaceful species. It is often confused with Corydoras hastatus and Corydoras habrosus, which differ in markings and behaviour.