TankBud

Nain dwarf cory

Gastrodermus nanus

Also known as Corydoras nanus

FreshwaterFish

Nain dwarf cory (Gastrodermus nanus)
karsten_s · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.8 in
4.5 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
The Guianas

Overview

The Nain dwarf cory is a small, peaceful cory that lives in groups on the sandy bottom of a community tank. It is a modest step up in care from a beginner fish.

Did you know

The Nain dwarf cory's two names both stress how little it is. The species name nanus is Latin for dwarf, and nain is simply French for dwarf. Each is a nod to the small, slender build of this Guianan cory.

Caring for the Nain dwarf cory

Keep Nain dwarf cories in a group of at least six, which keeps them confident and active. A group settles well in 16 gal (60 L) or larger. Give them a soft sand bed to sift, with driftwood, dried leaves and shaded planting.

Keep the water clean and gently moving, with regular water changes. Aim for 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen daphnia and bloodworm, and crushed wafers. They forage over the sandy bottom with their barbels, so check that enough food reaches the substrate.

Nain dwarf cories suit a calm community of small fish that will not crowd the floor. Regular aquarium spawning is not well documented. Cories of this type lay sticky eggs, which the female holds briefly between her pelvic fins.

Good to know

The Nain dwarf cory is a small armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae. A dark stripe runs along the flank toward a blotch at the tail base, over a pale, faintly patterned body. Two rows of bony plates armor each side.

In the wild

The Nain dwarf cory is native to the Guianas, including the Maroni drainage of Suriname. It lives over sand in warm, soft, slightly acidic water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Nain dwarf cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Nain dwarf cory need?

A Nain dwarf cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Nain dwarf cory need?

A Nain dwarf cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Nain dwarf cory eat?

A Nain dwarf cory eats sinking pellets, frozen daphnia and bloodworm, and crushed wafers. Check that enough of the food reaches the substrate.

How big does a Nain dwarf cory get?

An adult Nain dwarf cory reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).

Does a Nain dwarf cory need a group?

Yes. A Nain dwarf cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Nain dwarf cory breed?

The Nain dwarf cory has no well documented record of regular aquarium spawning. Cories of this type lay sticky eggs, and the female holds them briefly between her pelvic fins.

Related species