Common & Latin Name: Pygmy Corydora (Gastrodermus pygmaeus)
Care level: Easy
Max Size: 3cm
Diet: Omnivore
Temp: 22-26°C
PH: 6-7
Purchase size:0.5cm
The Pygmy Corydora is the smallest of catfish available in the hobby. These delicate little fish make excellent bottom feeders for nano communities with their peaceful disposition and busy activities around the tank. The aquarium must have soft sand substrate to protect this little cory's delicate sensory barbels and they require soft, acidic water. Bog wood and plenty of live plants will be welcome as they'll provide both stimulation and valuable hiding places. The addition of floating plants will help diffuse the light. providing shady areas that the cories may enjoy. Frequent partial water changes are essential as these fish are very sensitive to elevated nitrate levels.
Unusually, these cories don't spend their entire time at the base of the tank, but also like to shoal mid-level. For this reason, we recommend that they are kept in a group of at least 10 individuals to make that shoal and to make them feel comfortable and safe. Like all cories, they have the ability to breathe air intestinally so a gap should be left between the water's surface and the cover slides.
These adorable little catfish will get along with all community fish as long as they're not big enough to eat the cories. Ideal tank mates include chilli rasboras, galaxy rasboras, sparkling gouramies, silver kuhli loaches, various members of the pseudomugil and popondetta families of rainbowfish and shrimp. Avoid larger fish as they will most likely intimidate or predate on the pygmies.
Food can be offered in the form of micro granules, sinking wafers and fresh or frozen fish foods such as copepods, mini bloodworms and cyclops
If you have any questions about keeping this fish, please contact us and a member of our friendly store team will be more than happy to answer all of your questions
Why not check out our other photos of some of the best livestock to have graced our tanks!
