Pygmy Cory

fish description – Pygmy Cory Care Guide ($Corydoras\ pygmaeus$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Corydoras\ pygmaeus$
Common Name	Pygmy Cory, Dwarf Catfish, Micro Catfish
Origin	Tributaries and slow-moving rivers of the Amazon Basin (Brazil)
Adult Size	1–1.2 inches (2.5–3 cm)
Temperament	Very peaceful, social, mid-to-bottom schooling fish
Lifespan	3–5 years
Care Level	Easy

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: This miniature catfish has an elongated, slender body for a Corydoras, featuring a prominent black horizontal stripe running from its snout to its tail, set against a shimmering silver body. They have large black eyes and delicate barbels.
• Coloration: Silvery-grey body with an iridescent sheen, highlighted by the black lateral stripe. Females are visibly larger and more rounded/plump when viewed from above. Males are slimmer and slightly smaller.
• Fins: Proportional, clear fins.
• Behavior: Unlike larger Corydoras that stick solely to the substrate, Pygmy Corys actively school and swim throughout the middle and lower water columns, only occasionally dropping to the bottom to forage. They are very timid and require a large school to feel secure.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (40 liters) is the minimum for a small school. A 20-gallon tank or larger is excellent for showcasing their mid-water schooling behavior.
• Schooling: Must be kept in schools of at least 8–10 individuals; larger groups (15+) are strongly recommended for their confidence and natural display behavior.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $72^\circ$–$79^\circ\text{F}\ (22^\circ$–$26^\circ\text{C})$. Stability is very important.
• pH Level: Soft, neutral to slightly acidic water is preferred: 6.4 to 7.5. They are sensitive to poor water quality, so low nitrates are essential.
• Aquascape: The substrate must be fine sand to protect their delicate barbels. They feel most secure in a densely planted tank with broad leaves (Anubias, Cryptocoryne) to perch on, along with driftwood and floating plants to diffuse the light. Gentle water flow is preferred.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Pygmy Cory is an omnivorous scavenger requiring small, appropriate-sized sinking foods.

• Staple Diet: Should be specifically fed high-quality, crushed sinking micro-pellets or flakes, and occasional sinking wafers. Do not rely on scraps from other fish.
• Supplementation: Due to their tiny mouths, offer small, high-protein live or frozen foods regularly: Frozen Daphnia, Cyclops, Micro Worms, and Baby Brine Shrimp.
• Schedule: Feed small amounts 2–3 times per day as they have small stomachs. Ensure the food is readily available on the substrate or sinking slowly.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: They are very timid and should only be kept with small, non-aggressive fish. Avoid any fish large enough to swallow them (e.g., Angelfish, larger cichlids) or boisterous fish that will outcompete them for food.
• Good Tank Mates: Ideal for nano tanks. Excellent companions include small Tetras (Ember, Neon, Green), Chili Rasboras, Endlers, Otocinclus, and Dwarf Shrimp (Cherry, Amano).