Description
Pygmy Cory (Corydoras pygmaeus)
Overview
Corydoras pygmaeus, commonly known as the Pygmy Cory, is a tiny, peaceful freshwater catfish from the Callichthyidae family, native to the Madeira River basin in Brazil, particularly its tributaries and slow-moving waters. Named for its diminutive size and silvery body with a distinct black horizontal stripe, it grows to just 2–3 cm, making it one of the smallest Corydoras species. This hardy, schooling fish is ideal for nano aquariums and community tanks, suitable for beginners and experienced aquarists due to its charming, active behaviour and ease of care.
Care Requirements
Tank Size
- Minimum: 5 gallons (19 liters) for a school of 8–12 fish; 10–20 gallons (38–80 liters) preferred for larger groups (15–20) to support schooling and foraging Behaviour.
- Longer tanks with a larger footprint maximize swimming and bottom-dwelling space.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 72°F–79°F (22°C–26°C), ideally 74°F–77°F (23°C–25°C).
- pH: 6.0–7.5, slightly acidic to neutral preferred.
- Hardness: Soft to moderately hard (2–12 dH).
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm;
- Nitrate: Keep below 40 mg/L.
- Use a water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine.
Tank Setup
- Substrate: Fine, smooth sand or small, rounded gravel to protect delicate barbels; avoid sharp substrates to prevent injury.
- Plants: Live plants like Java moss, Java fern, Anubias, or floating plants (e.g., water sprite) for cover and resting spots, mimicking their leaf-littered river habitats.
- Decor: Driftwood, smooth rocks, or small caves provide hiding spots and replicate natural riverbeds. Indian almond leaves add tannins and encourage foraging.
- Filtration: Gentle flow filter (e.g., sponge or small hang-on-back) to avoid strong currents that stress small fish.
- Ensure surface access for air gulping via their labyrinth organ.
- Lighting: Low to moderate to emulate shaded river environments; use a 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
Maintenance
- Water Changes: 25%–30% weekly for 5–10 gallon tanks; 20%–25% weekly or 30% biweekly for larger tanks to maintain water quality.
- Testing: Monitor ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and temperature weekly with a test kit.
- Cleaning: Gently vacuum substrate during water changes to remove debris without disrupting bacteria. Clean filter media in tank water monthly.
- Feeding Control: Remove uneaten food within 2–3 minutes to prevent fouling, as Pygmy Cories scavenge but don’t eliminate all waste.
- Plant/Decor Care: Trim plants and clean decor in tank water to manage algae and maintain aesthetics.
Diet
- Natural Diet: Omnivorous, scavenging micro-invertebrates, insect larvae, plant matter, and detritus in the wild.
- Aquarium Diet:
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- Staple Foods: Fine sinking pellets, micro granules, or crushed flakes for bottom-dwellers (e.g., Hikari Micro Pellets, shrimp pellets).
- Live/Frozen Foods: Baby brine shrimp, microworms, or Daphnia as treats (1–2 times weekly) to enhance health and activity.
- Vegetable Matter: Blanched spinach, zucchini, or spirulina-based micro foods for balance.
- Feeding Frequency: Small portions 1–2 times daily, ideally at dusk or dawn when active. Ensure food is small enough for their tiny mouths and reaches the substrate.
- Variety: Rotate foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies and encourage foraging.
Behaviour and Compatibility
Behaviour
- Schooling: Highly social, requiring groups of 8–12+ to thrive. Smaller groups cause stress, shyness, or reduced activity. Large schools enhance their playful, midwater schooling Behaviour, unlike most bottom-dwelling Corydoras.
- Activity: Active swimmers in mid-to-lower tank levels, sifting substrate or schooling in open water.
- Occasionally dart to the surface for air. Most active at dusk/dawn.
- Temperament: Extremely peaceful, ideal for nano and community tanks. No aggression, even during feeding.
Compatibility
- Ideal Tankmates: Small, peaceful fish like Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, Chili Rasboras, Endler’s guppies, or other nano fish. Can mix with other small Corydoras (e.g., C. habrosus, C. hastatus).
- Avoid: Aggressive or large fish (e.g., cichlids, large barbs) that may intimidate or prey on them. Avoid fast eaters that outcompete for food.
- Mixing Cory Species: Can school with other dwarf Corydoras species (e.g., C. hastatus) if water parameters align, but larger Corydoras may outcompete them.
- Sexual Dimorphism: Females are slightly larger, rounder, and wider when viewed from above; males are slimmer with more pointed dorsal and pectoral fins.
Breeding Behaviour
Breeding Behaviour: Egg-layers depositing adhesive eggs on tank surfaces (glass,
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
