Pygmy cory
The pygmy cory is a diminutive shoaling catfish from the Rio Madeira system in the Brazilian Amazon, rarely exceeding three centimetres. Unlike most corys it spends much of its time swimming and hovering in mid-water as a tight school rather than only foraging the bottom, so it is best kept in large groups of ten or more to display natural behaviour and confidence. A silver body with a bold black lateral line makes it a subtle but charming nano-aquarium fish. It suits soft, slightly acidic, warm water around 22-26 C and should never be housed with large or boisterous tankmates that could eat or intimidate it; pair it instead with small tetras, dwarf shrimp and other nano species. Feed finely crushed foods, micro-pellets, baby brine shrimp and frozen Cyclops. Fine sand and gentle flow are ideal.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 22 – 26 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 6 – 7.4 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 2 – 12 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 2 – 12 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 40 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 3 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 10 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Pygmy cory need?
Provide at least 40 litres for a small group to keep Pygmy cory in good conditions.
What water parameters does Pygmy cory need?
A temperature of 22–26 °C, pH 6–7.4.
Is Pygmy cory peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Pygmy cory eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Pygmy cory should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 10.
How big does Pygmy cory get?
Around 3 cm as an adult.
Is Pygmy cory suitable for beginners?
Care level: intermediate.
Planning a tank with Pygmy cory?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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