Pygmy corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
Parameter dashboard
22-26 °C
6.4-7.4
3 cm
4 years
Care guide
The pygmy corydoras reaches about 3 cm standard length and is a small corydoras catfish. Unlike most corys that stay on the bottom, this species frequently hovers in the middle water column . It comes from the Madeira River basin in Brazil. A tank with a base of 45 by 30 cm (about 42.5 L) can house a school of six or more, and they should always be kept in groups to feel secure. Temperature of 22–26 °C and pH 6.4–7.4 with soft to moderate hardness suit them. A sand substrate is essential to protect their delicate barbels. The small mouth means all foods must be fine-grade: crushed flake, micro pellets, and small live or frozen foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. They are generally peaceful and make excellent companions for tiny characins, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp. The species is sexed by body shape — males are more slender, females rounder when full of eggs. They spawn readily in the aquarium, depositing eggs on plant leaves or the glass. A cover of floating plants helps them feel at ease.
Source
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (7)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adolf's catfish Corydoras adolfoi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Bronze corydoras Osteogaster aenea Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Hoplo Catfish Megalechis thoracata Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Peppered corydoras Hoplisoma paleatum Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Schwartz's catfish Corydoras schwartzi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Sterba's cory Corydoras sterbai Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Twosaddle corydoras Hoplisoma weitzmani Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
3 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leopard corydoras Corydoras julii Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Palespotted corydoras Hoplisoma gossei Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda corydoras Corydoras panda Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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