Pygmy Cory Catfish – Corydoras Pygmaeus
Pygmy Cory Catfish – Corydoras Pygmaeus
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Quick Care
Essential care information at a glance
What Fish Will I Receive?
What Fish Will I Receive?
Photos represent the species and typical appearance of the fish you will receive. Because Corydoras are living animals, individual size, coloration, markings, and pattern may vary naturally from fish to fish.
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
✓ Peaceful community fish
✓ Active bottom-dwelling behavior
✓ Best enjoyed in social groups
✓ Excellent for planted aquariums
✓ Unique black-and-cream panda markings
✓ Compatible with many peaceful tropical fish
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Every Corydoras offered by Tropicflow Aquatic is selected for healthy body condition, active behavior, clear eyes, intact barbels and fins, and normal swimming behavior before shipping.
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Fine sand or another smooth, non-abrasive substrate is recommended. Corydoras spend much of their time searching through the substrate with their sensitive barbels.
Acclimation Directions
Acclimation Directions
1 — Open & Inspect
Check your fish immediately after delivery.
2 — Temperature Acclimation
Float the closed bag for approximately 15–20 minutes.
3 — Gradually Introduce Tank Water
Slowly add small amounts of aquarium water.
4 — Transfer the Fish
Gently move the Cory into the aquarium without pouring shipping water into the tank.
Keep aquarium lights low during the first several hours and allow the fish time to settle.
Water Parameters
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 68-77F
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- GH: 2-12 dGH
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Keep Low
- Water Flow: Gental-moderate
- Oxygenation: Good
Stable water is more important than chasing an exact number. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH, or hardness.
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
At Tropicflow, we strive to make the shipping process as affordable and convenient as possible for our customers. Our flat rate shipping starts as low as $25, and the more fish you purchase, the more you save on shipping fees. We encourage our customers to combine as many fish as possible in each order to take advantage of these cost-saving opportunities.
The Pygmy Cory Catfish, commonly known as the Pygmy Cory or Pygmy Corydoras, is a tiny, peaceful freshwater catfish known for its slender silver body, dark horizontal stripe, and active schooling behavior. Unlike many larger Cory catfish, Pygmy Corys frequently swim through the lower and middle levels of the aquarium. Best kept in groups of 6 or more, they are an excellent choice for peaceful planted and nano community aquariums.
The Pygmy Cory Catfish (Corydoras pygmaeus) is one of the smallest and most unique Cory-type catfish in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Its miniature adult size, peaceful temperament, and distinctive schooling behavior make it especially popular for planted aquariums and carefully planned nano tanks.
Pygmy Corys have a slender silver-to-gray body with a prominent dark horizontal stripe extending from the head toward the tail. While they still spend time exploring the substrate, they are unusual among Cory catfish because they frequently swim and hover together in midwater.
Taxonomy note: This species has traditionally been known in the aquarium trade as Corydoras pygmaeus. Under newer scientific classification, it may also be listed as Gastrodermus pygmaeus. Both names refer to the fish commonly sold as the Pygmy Cory Catfish.
Pygmy Cory Catfish Care Information
| Care Requirement | Pygmy Cory Information |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Pygmy Cory, Pygmy Cory Catfish, Pygmy Corydoras |
| Scientific Name | Corydoras pygmaeus / Gastrodermus pygmaeus |
| Adult Size | Approximately 0.8–1.2 inches |
| Temperature | 72–79°F (22–26°C) |
| pH Range | 6.4–7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10+ Gallons Recommended |
| Recommended Group Size | 6+ Recommended; 10+ Preferred |
| Temperament | Peaceful & Social |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Tank Level | Bottom to Midwater |
| Care Level | Beginner-Friendly |
| Origin | Madeira River Basin, South America |
What Does a Pygmy Cory Catfish Look Like?
Pygmy Cory Catfish have a small, slender body that is usually silver-gray with a strong dark horizontal stripe running along each side. Their fins are mostly transparent, creating a clean and subtle appearance that works especially well in planted aquariums.
Their miniature size makes them noticeably different from many larger Cory species. Despite their small appearance, a healthy school of Corydoras pygmaeus can create a surprising amount of activity throughout the lower and middle portions of the aquarium.
Pygmy Cory Behavior & Group Size
Pygmy Corys are peaceful, highly social fish that should be maintained in groups rather than individually. We recommend keeping at least 6 Pygmy Cory Catfish, while groups of 10 or more can display even more natural and confident schooling behavior when aquarium space allows.
Unlike many traditional Cory catfish, Pygmy Corys do not remain exclusively on the aquarium floor. They regularly swim through the lower and middle water column, hover near plants, rest on leaves and driftwood, and then return to the substrate to forage.
One of the biggest differences between Pygmy Corys and many larger Cory catfish is their midwater schooling behavior. A proper group may frequently swim together above the substrate, making them especially fun to watch in a planted aquarium.
Ideal Aquarium Setup for Pygmy Corydoras
A 10-gallon or larger aquarium provides a practical starting point for a school of Pygmy Cory Catfish. Although they are very small, enough swimming space should be provided so the group can comfortably explore and school together.
A soft sand substrate or smooth fine gravel is recommended because Pygmy Corys regularly forage along the aquarium floor using their sensitive barbels.
Plants, driftwood, smooth rocks, leaf litter, and shaded resting areas can create a comfortable natural-style environment while leaving enough open space for schooling.
Pygmy Cory Water Parameters
Pygmy Cory Catfish generally do well at temperatures around 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of approximately 6.4–7.5.
More important than constantly adjusting the water to reach an exact number is maintaining a stable, fully cycled aquarium with clean and well-oxygenated water. Sudden changes in temperature, pH, ammonia, or nitrite can place unnecessary stress on these small fish.
What Do Pygmy Cory Catfish Eat?
Pygmy Corys are omnivores and should receive a varied diet appropriate for their very small mouths. High-quality sinking micro pellets and finely sized foods can be used as staple foods.
Their diet may also be supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, and finely chopped or small frozen foods.
Pygmy Cory Tank Mates
Their peaceful temperament makes Pygmy Cory Catfish suitable for carefully selected freshwater community aquariums. Because they are extremely small, tank mates should also be peaceful and unlikely to chase, intimidate, or eat them.
Potential tank mates may include small peaceful tetras, nano rasboras, other small peaceful community fish, compatible Cory species, and freshwater shrimp in an appropriately planned aquarium.
Avoid large predatory fish, aggressive species, and tank mates that may consistently outcompete the Pygmy Corys for food.
Why Choose Pygmy Cory Catfish?
- Tiny adult size ideal for smaller planted aquariums
- Peaceful temperament for nano community setups
- Unique bottom-to-midwater schooling behavior
- Attractive silver body with a dark horizontal stripe
- Active and entertaining when maintained in a proper group
- Excellent choice for planted freshwater aquariums
- Interesting alternative to larger Cory catfish species
Before Buying Pygmy Cory Catfish
Pygmy Corys are social fish and should not be kept alone. Plan to keep at least 6 fish, with larger groups preferred when aquarium space and filtration allow. Make sure your aquarium is fully cycled and choose small, peaceful tank mates that will not intimidate these tiny Cory catfish or prevent them from feeding.
Pygmy Cory Catfish FAQ
How big do Pygmy Cory Catfish get?
Pygmy Cory Catfish generally reach approximately 0.8–1.2 inches, making them one of the smallest Cory-type catfish commonly kept in freshwater aquariums.
How many Pygmy Corys should be kept together?
Keep Pygmy Corys in a group of at least 6 fish. Larger groups of around 10 or more are often preferable when aquarium space and filtration allow.
What temperature is best for Pygmy Corydoras?
A general recommended temperature range for Pygmy Corys is approximately 72–79°F (22–26°C). Choose tank mates that are comfortable within a compatible temperature range.
Are Pygmy Cory Catfish peaceful?
Yes. Pygmy Cory Catfish are very peaceful and are best kept with other small, non-aggressive freshwater community fish.
Do Pygmy Corys stay on the bottom?
Not always. Pygmy Corys frequently swim through the lower and middle portions of the aquarium. This midwater schooling behavior is one of the characteristics that makes Corydoras pygmaeus different from many larger Cory species.
Can Pygmy Corys live in a 10-gallon aquarium?
A properly maintained 10-gallon or larger aquarium can be suitable for a small school of Pygmy Corys. Provide stable water quality, suitable filtration, plants or other cover, and enough open swimming space for the group.
Are Pygmy Corys good for nano aquariums?
Yes. Their tiny adult size makes Pygmy Corys a popular option for appropriately sized nano aquariums. However, enough space should still be provided for a proper social group rather than keeping only one or two fish.
Is Corydoras pygmaeus the same as Gastrodermus pygmaeus?
Yes. The Pygmy Cory has traditionally been known as Corydoras pygmaeus and is still widely sold under that name. Newer scientific classification places the species in the genus Gastrodermus, making Gastrodermus pygmaeus the updated scientific combination.
Do Pygmy Corys clean the bottom of the aquarium?
Pygmy Corys naturally forage around the substrate for small foods, but they should not be considered a replacement for aquarium maintenance. They require their own nutritious foods along with regular water changes and aquarium cleaning.
Pygmy Cory Catfish at Tropicflow Aquatic
Add a tiny school with a big personality to your freshwater aquarium with the Pygmy Cory Catfish. Their peaceful nature, miniature size, distinctive horizontal stripe, and unique bottom-to-midwater schooling behavior make Corydoras pygmaeus an excellent choice for planted aquariums and carefully selected nano community setups.
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