Pygmy cory
Corydoras pygmaeus
The smallest cory at about an inch, schooling in open water as much as on the bottom; a natural fit for nano tanks with shrimp.
Key facts
- Body length
- 1.2 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 13 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Micro pellets, baby brine shrimp, daphnia
- Origin
- Rio Madeira basin, Brazil
- Hardier than46%
- Bigger than8%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Pygmy cory tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Chinese algae eaterChinese algae eater attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- Clown loachClown loach attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- DemasoniDemasoni attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- Peacock cichlidMalawi butterfly peacock attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- Rainbow sharkRainbow shark attacks fish with a similar shape or colour: Pygmy cory.Risky
- AngelfishAngelfish can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 2.3 cm.Avoid
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.8 cm.Avoid
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- GoldfishGoldfish can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 3.0 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Pygmy cory: prey body depth 0.7 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for pygmy corys: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 3 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 0.40 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 0.57 BU
- Min. water
- 41 L net
- Min. footprint
- 45 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 10)
- Swims in
- bottom, middle
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- fusiform, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Care notes
Pygmy corys come from the Rio Madeira basin in Brazil. Unlike most corys they often hover in midwater as a school instead of staying on the bottom.
Keep six at the very least and ten or more if you can, with tiny foods such as baby brine shrimp and daphnia making up a good share of the diet. They are easy prey for angelfish, gouramis and big catfish, but safe with dwarf shrimp.
Questions
What size tank does a pygmy cory need?
At least 13 gallons (41 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 1.2 inches without fins.
How many pygmy corys should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 10 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do pygmy corys need?
72–79 °F, pH 6.4–7.4 and 2–8 dGH. Pygmy corys come from Rio Madeira basin, Brazil.
How long do pygmy corys live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with pygmy corys?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.