Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Also known as Pygmy Cory, Dwarf Corydoras
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A very small catfish that often shoals in midwater rather than staying on the bottom. It is too tiny for a general community, since larger fish intimidate it and may eat it. Keep it alone or with other tiny species in a dimly lit, heavily planted tank.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 11 US gal
- Footprint
- 18 x 12 in
- Temperature
- 72–79 °F
- pH
- 6.4–7.4
- Hardness
- 0–8 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- 6 or more
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
Pygmy Corydoras tank mates and swim zone
Bottom
Spends most of its time in this part of the tank.
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Pygmy Corydoras is small and shy, and is easily outcompeted for food by Gold Barb.
Poecilia reticulata
Their pH ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Their temperature ranges do not overlap, so one of them would always be stressed.
Pygmy Corydoras feeding and care
How to feed
- Feed crushed sinking pellets or micro wafers.
- Add baby brine shrimp, daphnia and micro worms often.
- Feed small portions you can see finished within a couple of minutes, because overfeeding fouls the water fast.
Telling males from females
Viewed from above, females are noticeably rounder and broader than males.
Pygmy Corydoras care mistakes to avoid
- Do not buy just one or two. Keep at least 6 fish so they feel secure.
- Avoid larger fish, including angelfish and gouramis, which may see it as a snack.
- Offer very small food, which must fit its tiny mouth.
- Keep lighting dim, because it prefers soft light and dense planting.
- Check your tank before you buy. Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons.
Pygmy Corydoras tank setup
The essentials for a small, gently filtered tank.
TankAt least 11 US gal (41 L), 45 x 30 cm
The smallest tank our sources give for Pygmy Corydoras. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts) and have at least this much floor.
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 10-Gallon Fish Tank: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Pygmy Corydoras, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Pygmy Corydoras's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 54 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterAir-driven sponge filter
Gentle flow that small fish and long fins can handle, plus a safe home for good bacteria.
Aquarium Co-Op Coarse Sponge Filter (Small) US
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter US
Tetra Brillant Filter Spain
Fluval AquaClear 20 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 10-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 72–79 °F (22–26 °C)
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 25 W at 5 gallons, 50 W at 10. Keeps a small tank stable. Adjustable models let you set the temperature your species needs. Size up for a cold room.
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater US
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 50 W US
Fluval T50 Fully Electronic Aquarium Heater Spain
Eheim Thermocontrol e 50 Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 10-Gallon Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
SubstrateA fine substrate is not essential for this tiny species, though river sand suits a natural setup.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorLooks best heavily planted with bogwood and roots; dried leaves suit a biotope.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
Where to buy Pygmy Corydoras
We have not found a store that sells Pygmy Corydoras under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Pygmy Corydoras FAQ
What size tank do Pygmy Corydoras need?
Our sourced minimum is 11 US gallons (41 liters), with a footprint of 45 x 30 cm. A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable.
How many Pygmy Corydoras should I keep?
Keep at least 6 fish. Bigger groups usually look better and behave more confidently.
What can live with Pygmy Corydoras?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Platy.
How long do Pygmy Corydoras live?
Lifespan is not well documented for this species. Stable water and a good diet help any animal live longer.
Do pygmy corys stay on the bottom?
Not always. Unlike most corys, they often hover in midwater as a group, especially once they feel confident.
Pygmy Corydoras facts and sources
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Native to
- Madeira River basin, Brazil
- Adult size
- 1.2 in (3 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social needs
- Schooling/Shoaling (6+)
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Water flow
- Gentle
- Substrate
- Fine Sand Required
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Shrimp
- 100% Safe
- Fin nipping
- None
- Vulnerable to nippers
- No
- Breeding
- Moderate
Sources
- Seriously Fish: Tank size, water ranges and behavior
- FishBase: Cross-check of water ranges and size
Lifespans are approximate and come from aquarium care guides, because these databases rarely publish them.
Where sources differ, we show the Seriously Fish aquarium figures.
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction. For a sick fish, see our veterinary disclaimer.