Pygmy cory

Gastrodermus pygmaeus

Also known as Corydoras pygmaeus

FreshwaterFish

Pygmy cory (Gastrodermus pygmaeus) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F; 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 1.3 in; 3.3 cm
Minimum tank: 10 gal; 38 L

Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Family: Callichthyidae
Origin: Brazil

Overview

The pygmy cory is one of the smallest corys, a peaceful catfish for a community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Pygmy corys hover and dart through open water in a tight little group, which is unusual for a cory. In mid-water they read more like a tiny schooling fish than a typical bottom catfish.

Caring for the pygmy cory

Pygmy corys are very social, so keep a sizeable group, ideally ten or more. A tank of at least 10 gal (38 L) suits them. Give them a soft substrate, gentle flow and plenty of cover.

Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed tiny foods, such as micro pellets, crushed flake and small live or frozen foods like baby brine shrimp.

Pygmy corys are peaceful and best kept with other small, gentle fish. They are tiny, so keep them away from anything large enough to eat them. Spawning is on the tricky side, and breeding them is hard.

Good to know

The pygmy cory is a member of the Callichthyidae, the armored catfish family. It is not listed as endangered, though wild habitat loss is a concern.

In the wild

Pygmy corys come from slow, clear tributaries in Brazil, often over sand or mud among plants and leaf litter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The pygmy cory is a peaceful, schooling 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