Corydoras pygmaeus
Family: Callichthyidae
Pygmy Corydoras are tiny catfish that, unlike other Corys, swim in the midwater column rather than staying on the bottom. Perfect for nano planted tanks.
Buy the setup, not just the fish
Plan a cycled 10 gallon with a proper group, gentle filtration, and a soft bottom.
A clean sand cap helps keep soil down while still giving a natural look in low-tech tanks.
Skip if: Rinse thoroughly and avoid very fine sand if your filter intake is low or fish dig heavily.
Check current price on AmazonThe safest filter style for shrimp fry and long-finned bettas because it provides biological filtration without a hard intake.
Skip if: Skip it if you dislike visible in-tank equipment or already have a protected low-flow filter.
Check current price on AmazonAmmonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH tests prevent the most expensive beginner mistake: adding livestock to an unsafe tank.
Skip if: Test strips are faster, but liquid tests are usually more useful for diagnosing cycling problems.
Check current price on AmazonA separate thermometer catches heater drift before livestock are stressed.
Skip if: Not a substitute for a reliable adjustable heater in tropical tanks.
Check current price on AmazonDo not buy one or two pygmy corys for a small uncycled tank; they are social fish, not a cleanup tool.
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Keep in large groups (8-12+). Unlike regular Corys, they hover in midwater. Still appreciate sandy substrate. Great for nano tanks.
Micro omnivore. Need small foods - crushed flakes, micro pellets, baby brine shrimp. Feed multiple times daily.
Similar to other Corydoras. Scatter eggs on plants and glass. Relatively easy to breed in groups.
📚 Sources: Care parameters based on SeriouslyFish, FishBase, and Aquarium Co-Op. Use this as a planning guide; quarantine new livestock and adjust for your local water and tank maturity.