A tiny cory that swims in mid-water as much as it sifts — perfect for a nano tank.
- Temperature22–27 °C
- pH6–7.5
- Minimum tank40 L
- DifficultyBeginner
| Food | Micro sinking food + daphnia |
|---|---|
| Feeding | 1–2 small feeds a day |
| Water change | 20–25% weekly |
Behaviour and habits
The pygmy cory is unusual among corydoras: it shoals in mid-water as much as it sifts the bottom, hovering in a loose group and darting about the tank. It is tiny and completely peaceful, and it only shows this lively, sociable behaviour in a group of eight or more. In a soft-substrate nano tank with plants, a shoal of pygmy corys is one of the most charming sights in the hobby.
What to feed, and how often
Tiny sinking foods plus frozen daphnia and baby brineshrimp; feed one or two small meals a day. Their mouths are small, so keep the food fine and make sure they get some before faster fish clear it.
Water changes and maintenance
Change 20–25% weekly with a gentle vacuum. Soft sand and clean water keep them healthy, and they dislike the big swings that are easy to cause in a small tank.
Care and how easy it is
Easy and peaceful; ideal for a nano tank with a large group, soft substrate and dense plants.
Common health problems
Barbel wear on rough gravel and fin rot in poor water; hardy otherwise.
If it gets sick
Fix the substrate and water first, then treat, and observe the group for a few days.
Good tank mates
- 22-26 C
- pH 7.0-8.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 20–26°C
- pH 7–8.2
- 50 L+
- 22–28°C
- pH 7–8.5
- 70 L+
- 21-25 C
- pH 6.0-7.5
- 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
- 23–28°C
- pH 5–6.8
- 60 L+
Best avoided with
Similar species
- 20–26°C
- pH 6–7.8
- 60 L+
- 22–26°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 50 L+
- 24–28°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 60 L+
- 21-27 C
- pH 6.0-8.0
- 80 L+; 80 x 30 cm base
- 23–27°C
- pH 6–7.5
- 60 L+
Compare at a glance
| Parameters | Pygmy cory | Corydoras | Panda cory | Sterba's cory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parameters | ||||
| Temp | 22–27 °C | 20–26 °C | 22–26 °C | 24–28 °C |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6–7.8 | 6–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| GH | 2–12 °dGH | 2–15 °dGH | 4–15 °dGH | 4–15 °dGH |
| Min. tank | 40 L | 60 L | 50 L | 60 L |
| Size | 3 cm | 6 cm | 5 cm | 7 cm |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore | Omnivore | Omnivore |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
Care guides
New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.
Sources and research notes
Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.