If you want to set up a peaceful community aquarium, the Pygmy Corydoras maybe your fish. Many people find this species adorable, which has made it highly sought after.
Most aquarists are familiar with corydoras, but the dwarf corydoras catfish is a unique species with rare behaviours that require close attention in your aquarium.
In this article, you will learn more about Pygmy Corydoras.
| Category | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Level of care: | Beginner |
| Temperament: | Peaceful |
| Colour form: | Silver with black horizontal lines |
| Lifetime: | Up to 3 years |
| Size: | Up to 1 “ |
| Diet: | Omnivorous |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Minimum tank size: | 10 gallons |
| Tank Configuration: | Freshwater, sand with hiding places |
| Compatible: | Small peaceful community |
pygmy corydoras, a small cory or catfish, is a small freshwater fish of the subfamily Corydoradinae. corydoras is found primarily in the Madeira River basin of Brazil, but populations are found throughout the South American continent.
Originally, only one miniature species of Corydoras existed. In the early 1900s, it was found that many species had been misidentified. So, the pygmy corydoras species was described.
They thrive in tropical aquariums and are an excellent choice for beginners. However, they are also popular with experienced aquarists. They are small and do not live as long as larger aquarium species. They usually live up to 3 years, but this can be longer or shorter depending on how well they are cared for.
Typical behavior
These are very well-bred fish. They spend most of their time in the lower levels, but they will swim in schools higher up in the tank. Remember this when stocking the tank to avoid crowding the middle levels.
You might see them at the surface. They can use their gut to absorb oxygen from the air, but this is less efficient, and they usually only do it if the water quality is poor.
pygmy corydoras Size and Appearance
They resemble most Corydoras catfish, apart from their size. As the name suggests, the dwarf corydoras is very small. Females tend to be about an inch long, but males are smaller, reaching only 0.75 inches. Females are also often wider than males, especially when carrying eggs.
Their body is silver, with a solid black line running horizontally from the snout to the caudal fin and a second, thinner black line running down the body.
When the fry hatch, they have vertical stripes on their sides, which gradually disappear and are replaced by horizontal stripes after a month. Although not among the most colourful fish, their small size offers an adorable appeal that most people can’t resist.
Habitat and reservoir conditions
pygmy corydoras is found in small feeders of the larger rivers of South America, including the Madeira River in Brazil, the Nanay River in Peru, and the Aguarico River in Ecuador. These rivers share a tropical environment, but the temperature and pH vary.
Tank conditions
You should choose a similar substrate for your aquarium. Sand is best because it is softer, which prevents your fish from scratching their barbels when searching for food. Barbels are sensitive, and the fish may have difficulty finding food if damaged.
Bottom-dwelling fish like this one like to have plenty of hiding places. You can make them using a mix of plants and decorations. Pygmy corydoras would enjoy swimming through a mat of dwarf grass, but larger plants like Amazon Swords and Java Fern work well, too.
Set your heater to 72-79°F and make sure the pH stays between 6-8. The only other equipment you need is an efficient filter and standard aquarium lighting.
If the tank is set up properly. your fish will stay healthy, be much more active, and be interesting to watch.
What size aquarium do they need?
The Pygmy Corydoras is a small fish that is ideal for a small aquarium. Raise this size if you want a bigger group. Each additional fish only needs about 2 gallons to be relaxed.
Pygmy corydoras Tank Mates
There are plenty of potential tank mates out there. The Pygmy Corydoras is very peaceful and will not start fights, so there should be no compatibility issues if the tank mates are also peaceful.
The only exceptions to this rule are large species, as the dwarf corydoras is small and can, therefore, easily fit into the mouth of a larger fish. Tank mates ‘ mouths should be less than an inch.
This leaves many aquarium favorites available. You can use Otocinclus, Kuhli loaches, or Chinese algae eaters as companions for lower areas. Invertebrates are an interesting way to mix different behaviors in freshwater tanks. Cherry shrimp or mystery snails are common, but multiple other species exist.
Keeping Pygmy corydoras together
This fish enjoys the company of its own kind of fish. They often school (which is rare for a bottom dweller) and may even swim in groups in the mid-levels of the tank. We can Keep pygmy in groups of at least four or more, but eight is recommended.
What to feed them?
These fish are omnivores, meaning they will happily accept both meats and plants.
This is a great trait because you have many diet design options. The easiest choices are dried foods, which are sold cheaply at any pet store. Pellets and wafers are especially useful because they quickly sink into your pygmies.
Dry foods, however, are not very nutritious, so they need to be supplemented. You can try bloodworms, insect larvae, or brine shrimp to supplement their diet. You can chop greens in your kitchen or use them to prepare homemade fish dishes.
Don’t confuse dwarf corydoras with algae eaters. While this is a common assumption, they need more than plant-based foods.
Monitor them at feeding time to ensure everyone gets food. Other species may steal all the food before it has had a chance to sink to the bottom of the tank. Feed them once or twice a day. They only need to feed for about 2 minutes, but they will continue to look for food that may have been missed initially.
How to care for Pygmy corydoras
Diseases are much more common in unclean environments, so your dwarf corydoras will soon contract a disease if you don’t know how to maintain your aquarium effectively. Perform water changes every two weeks and wipe away algae before it gets out of control.
It is also important to design a healthy diet, as a lack of nutrients can weaken the immune system, making it difficult for a fish to fight off disease.
Red spot disease is a disease that pygmy corals are particularly susceptible to. It is characterized by bloody sores on the body and occurs when the fish are stressed by environmental conditions. Water parameters should be maintained. so water changes are performed weekly. Low oxygen levels are thought to be the main factor.
Another potential problem is Ich (white spot disease), a common problem with many species in the aquarium trade. This ectoparasite presents as white spots on the body and fins.
Ich is often introduced by adding new fish or unclean equipment. To prevent this, quarantine new fish and thoroughly clean used equipment.
Breeding guide
Reproduction of this species is relatively easy. They mate regularly, so caring for the fry is the hardest part. If you thought the adults were small, wait until you see the offspring!
Spawning should occur naturally if your dwarf corydoras are fed a nutritional diet and healthy water conditions are maintained. During mating, a female can lay up to 100 eggs. Monitor them, removing any that develop fungus as it could spread and damage other eggs. Parents should be separated from the eggs as they may eat them.
you will need to start feeding them because their mouths are so small. They can only eat very small foods. You can use crushed flakes until they are mature enough to eat an adult diet.
Are Pygmy Corydoras Right for Your Aquarium?
These fish can fit into the smallest of aquariums. They are ideal for peaceful community aquariums as they mix well with various species. Pygmy corydoras display unique behaviours that you won’t see anywhere else. It’s rare to see catfish like this swimming together so high in the tank.
Everyone can enjoy this wobbly little species. They are easy to breed, feed, and maintain, making them popular with beginners and veterans alike.
