Pygmy Cory
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
The tiniest of the Corydoras, best kept in groups. Aaron Norman
Overview
This is the smallest of the corys and a truly delightful fish that makes an ideal resident for a small, peaceful community aquarium. Unlike most other corys, they prefer to swim midwater, and spend most of their time searching every nook and cranny in the aquarium for tidbits of food. They also seem to enjoy chasing one another about the aquarium.
Family: Callichthyidae
Other common name(s):
- Pygmy Corydoras
Native range:
Habitat: The Pygmy Cory is best kept in a densely planted aquarium, with a large open area in the center for swimming. Provide plenty of hiding places in the form of driftwood and other aquarium woods, or inverted flowerpots.
Maximum length: 2.5 cm (1 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Water: Freshwater 22 °C (72 °F) - 26 °C (79 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom to midwater
Feeding
Carnivore. The Pygmy Cory will accept a wide variety of commercial aquarium fare, including finely crushed flakes, crushed pellets and sinking wafers, especially those specifically designed for corys. They will also greedily accept either live, frozen or freeze-dried Tubifex worms, brine shrimp, Daphnia and bloodworms as an occasional treat. To ensure good health, they must be fed first thing in the morning and just after the lights are extinguished at night.
Aquarium Compatibility
Corydoras pygmaeus should only be kept in groups of three or more—the more you can keep, the better.
Breeding/Propagation
Males are smaller and more slender than females. Spawns in pairs or groups and attaches adhesive eggs to plants.
Notes
Tankmates must be very small, very peaceful species.