Pygmy Corydoras

This tiny cory has a slim silver body with a narrow dark stripe running from the snout along the flank to the tail. Its habit of hovering and schooling above the bottom helps distinguish it from most other corys.

Identify this profile by the combination of a tiny silver body with a clean dark horizontal stripe and frequent midwater shoaling. Older sources commonly list this fish as Corydoras pygmaeus; the current profile follows the accepted or revised placement Gastrodermus pygmaeus. Colour alone can be unreliable in stressed, juvenile, or poorly conditioned fish, so body shape, snout length, fin pattern, and provenance should also be checked.

Mature females are generally longer, fuller through the belly and broader when viewed from above. Males remain smaller and slimmer, although the difference can be subtle outside breeding condition.

Use a mature, stable aquarium with fine sand, dense plants or wood for cover and open areas for group swimming. Gentle filtration should still provide good oxygenation, and filter intakes must be safe for very small fish and fry.

Pygmy Corydoras are peaceful, social and unusually willing to swim in midwater. Small groups often hide, while a larger group displays more natural schooling, perching and coordinated foraging.

Keep at least 10 of the same species or coded population, with 12 or more preferred where space permits. A mixed collection of single corys does not fully replace a proper same-species group.

It is not territorial. Males may briefly chase one another or follow females during courtship, but sustained aggression is unusual when the group has adequate floor space.

Keep them with calm nano fish and other peaceful species that cannot swallow or outcompete them. Large, boisterous and fast-feeding tank mates are poor choices, and newly hatched fish or shrimp may still be eaten when encountered.

Soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral water is suitable. Provide good oxygenation and keep ammonia and nitrite at zero.

Offer genuinely small foods such as fine sinking granules, powdered or gel foods, cyclops, daphnia and baby brine shrimp. Large wafers and whole bloodworms are unsuitable unless divided into pieces the fish can swallow.

Feed after faster surface and midwater fish have taken their share, and confirm that every individual reaches food. Use small portions once or twice daily, remove persistent leftovers, and vary prepared and frozen or live foods.

Breeding is achievable in a mature planted aquarium. Females attach small eggs to plants, moss or glass, while adults provide no parental care and may eat them; the tiny fry require clean water and very small first foods.