Pygmy Corydoras

If you’re looking for a peaceful schooling fish with lots of personality for your nano tank, look no further than Pygmy Corys!  They are also known by the names Dwarf Corydoras, and their scientific name, Corydoras pygmaeus.  These tiny fish are mostly a gleaming silver color, but they feature a striking black stripe running horizontally down their bodies that is highlighted in a brilliant white.  They are one of three “dwarf” species of Corydoras, all of which exhibit similar behavior.  They are particularly popular for shrimp tanks due to their peaceful nature.  Their shimmering bodies are peppered with black and green spotting, accompanied by a silver belly.  These catfish are VERY small and do not grow larger than ¾ of an inch in length.  Females tend to be a bit larger than the males and can grow up to one inch in length.

These catfish require a bit more attention to detail than the larger Corydora varieties we offer; they tolerate a more narrow range of water parameters and tend to be more picky when it comes to food.  They do best in tanks that have smooth substrate, such as sand or gravel, as they tend to spend a lot of time at the bottom of the tank.  We sell these catfish in schools and they do best in groups of 6 or more (plus, this makes them more likely to breed!).  Because they are middle to bottom-dwelling fish, their primary source of food will come from your substrate, so sinking foods such as pellets and tablets tend to work the best for these fish.  They also love to eat frozen bloodworms or small live worms.  It is important to note that Pygmy Cories are usually not able to survive solely on uneaten fish food from fish that feed at higher levels of your aquarium.

Pygmy Corydoras are completely peaceful and safe to keep with other fish (as long as the other fish are peaceful too!), snails, shrimp, and live plants!  They are known for their adorable appearance, as well as their unique ability to blink their eyes and shift their eyes downward.  They can often be seen digging voraciously through the substrate for food, which is one of the reasons that sand substrate is a good idea with these fish.