Scientifically referred to as Corydoras pygmaeus, the Pygmy Corydoras is a delightful addition to any freshwater aquarium. These little catfish are a great fit for community tanks because of their calm disposition and loveable playfulness. They bring a vibrant and intriguing dynamic to any aquarium setup with their diminutive size and distinctive behaviors.
Pygmy Corydoras are native to South American rivers, where they live best in groups.
- Habitat and Range
- Description
- Size:
- Behavior and compatibility
- Aquarium
- Water parameters:
- Feeding
- Sexual Dimorphism
- Breeding
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Habitat and Range
South America; most likely native to Brazil’s Madeira River basin.
Inhabits patches of flooded forest, small tributaries, and streams. They can be found hiding among tree roots or coastal vegetation in large numbers.
Prefers to remain in still water or in areas that are slightly current but still silted.
Description
The sides are flattened and covered in bony plates, giving the body a slightly elongated shape. The abdominal line is straight. robustly developed pectoral and pelvic fins, the latter of which features a spiny ray. A two-lobed caudal fin. An adipose fin exists. The jaws have multiple pairs of small barbels.
With a continuous black line that extends to the tail and finishes in a rounded dark patch, the overall color is silvery. There are two white stripes on each side of the black one. Every fin is see-through.
Size:
The species has a maximum length of approximately 3.2 cm, with adults typically measuring 2 cm for males and 2.5–3 cm for females.
Behavior and compatibility
Since they always live in groups of four or more in the wild, it is best to keep at least four of them in an aquarium. Larger groups of ten or more will cause them to behave much more naturally. They exhibit all the characteristics of their innate behavior more effectively, feel more self-assured, and become more animated when they are with family.
They frequently swim in the aquarium’s lower levels as well as in the middle in schools. They enjoy lying on the tough leaves of anubias and echinodorus.
Completely peaceful, but only small, equally peaceful species will make good neighbors due to their small size: shrimp, rainbowfish, South American tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and rasboras.
Aquarium
For a collection of catfish, a 45-liter container with the basic measurements of 45 * 30 * 30 cm is required.
Selecting the right soil is crucial; it should be soft and ideally dark in color. The best materials are sand and tiny pebbles, which enable them to dig in the sand without getting hurt. Since the fish enjoy digging in the dirt, neither the decoration nor the soil itself should have any sharp edges where they could cut themselves.
There must be an abundance of hiding places, such as grottoes, caves, and snags. A number of sizable, smooth stones will serve as a haven for catfish. To ensure there is enough room on the bottom, plants should be placed all the way around the aquarium.
Lighting is required. less intense, more diluted.
Water parameters:
In the range of 22 to 27 °C pH range: 6.0–7.5 Hardness: between 2 and 15 ° dH
Aeration and filtering are required. Weekly changes of 1/3–1/4 of the aquarium’s water are recommended. Both the substrate and the water should be kept in good condition and cleaned frequently.
Feeding
In its natural habitat, it consumes worms, crustaceans, detritus, and phyto- and zooplankton.
They eat anything and everything, including dry flakes, daphnia, cyclops, tubifex, brine shrimp, tablets, and granules for bottom fish. They are not fussy eaters.
Since catfish have tiny mouths, their food should also be tiny.
Because of their gentle temperament and ease of maintenance, pygmy Corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) are small, peaceful fish that are a wonderful addition to any community aquarium. These little bottom-dwellers can bring a lively and dynamic element to your tank because of their playful nature and propensity to swim in groups. Pygmy Corydoras are a great addition to any freshwater aquarium, regardless of experience level, because of their small size and low maintenance needs.
Sexual Dimorphism
From above, it is easily distinguished by sex, just like most Corydoras. Especially when they are bursting with eggs, females are distinctly wider and rounder than males.
Females have a curved belly line and are larger and stronger. The fish can also be identified by their dorsal fin tip, which is sharp on males and rounded on females.
Breeding
Breeding is easy and happens without human intervention if they are housed in a school of at least 12 individuals without neighbors. All that is needed for catfish to grow fry is timely feeding; they do not consume eggs.
A spawning tank with a capacity of 10 liters is used to house 1-2 females and 3-5 males in the event that the school is smaller or the aquarium contains other fish. Additionally possible is paired spawning. Before spawning, it is best to keep the producers apart for a while. Daily water changes of 50–70% for cooler water can help.
The spawning aquarium’s water parameters are 24–25 °C, pH 6.5, and dGH up to 6.
One well-lit wall should remain in the spawning tank once it has been darkened. Since the female can lay eggs on glass, the spawning tank is the best place to put it, ideally with the illuminated wall closest to it. The productivity of women ranges from 30 to 100 caviare.
The producers are taken out after spawning, or the eggs are put in a glass incubator. To make the water in the egg container light blue, add methylene blue and raise the temperature in the container by a few degrees. This will stop fungus from growing on the eggs.
Certain varieties of freshwater shrimp are used by some hobbyists to identify between healthy and fungal spore-infected eggs. One choice is cherry shrimp. They consume contaminated eggs but do not harm healthy ones.
After hatching on days three and four, the larvae consume their yolk sac for the next three days. Fry should first be fed infusoria, followed by Artemia nauplii.
The fry’s growth slows down at three weeks of age. Fish that are fry have a different color from adult fish.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Size | Up to 3 cm (1.2 inches) |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 liters (5 gallons) |
| Water Temperature | 22-26°C (72-79°F) |
| pH Level | 6.0-7.2 |
| Diet | Omnivorous, prefers small live or frozen foods |
| Behavior | Peaceful, enjoys being in groups |
| Breeding | Egg layer, requires soft water for spawning |
A delightful addition to any freshwater aquarium are pygmy Corydoras. They are ideal for community tanks because of their modest size and serene disposition. Because these little fish prefer to swim in groups, it’s best to keep them in schools of six or more to help them feel secure and allow them to exhibit their natural behaviors.
Pygmy Corydoras brighten up the aquarium with their striking silver bodies and lively swimming patterns. They just need a clean, well-kept tank with lots of hiding places and a soft substrate, so they are very easy to care for. They’ll stay healthy and happy on a diet of premium flakes, pellets, and occasionally frozen or live foods.
All things considered, Pygmy Corydoras make fantastic aquarium pets for novices and seasoned hobbyists alike. They are simple to maintain and add charm and activity to the aquarium. You can enjoy the delightful presence of these if you give them the proper environment and care.
