Description

The Pygmy Cory (C. pygmaeus) is a small, adorable South American fish, growing to just 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. With its silvery body and a black stripe, it stands out due to its large black eyes and whisker-like barbels. Unlike most corydoras, which are bottom dwellers, pygmy corys hover midwater by flapping their fins, resembling an underwater hummingbird.

Native to Brazil, they thrive in water with a pH of 6.4–7.5 and slightly cooler temperatures between 72–78°F (22–26°C). They prefer aquariums with plenty of plants and hardscape, where they can hide and perch. A school of 8–12 pygmy corys is ideal in a 10-gallon or larger tank, as they can be shy in smaller groups.

Pygmy corys are peaceful and do well with other small, peaceful fish like neon tetras, chili rasboras, and otocinclus. Avoid keeping them with larger fish that could eat them or outcompete them for food. They may occasionally eat baby shrimp but won’t bother adult shrimp or snails.

Pygmy corys swimming midwater with lambchop rasboras