Pygmy Corydoras, also known as Pygmy Catfish, is a small tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Callichthyidae family and the Corydoradinae subfamily.
These fish come from South America, specifically the Madeira River area in Brazil.
They are very peaceful fish but aren’t suitable for a community fish tank due to their small size.
Also, larger fish can scare them, and they can have a hard time getting enough food around bigger tankmates.
Pygmy Corydoras Interesting Facts
- Pygmy corydoras is a small freshwater fish that comes from South America.
- It belongs to the catfish family and is known for its peaceful nature. But it’s not an ideal community fish due to its small size and tendency to get intimidated by larger tankmates.
- They are found in the Madeira River basin in Brazil and need tropical freshwater environments.
- Due to their timid nature, they don’t compete well for food with other species.
Pygmy Corydoras Habitat
Pygmy Corydoras lives in the Madeira River basin in South America. They prefer freshwater and are found near the bottom of the water.
The ideal water conditions for these fish include a pH level between 6.0 to 8.0, a hardness range of 2 to 25 dGH, and a temperature between 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C).
They thrive in tropical climates.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 2 to 25 dGH |
Pygmy Corydoras Physical Characteristics
Size: 0.8 inches (2.1 centimeters)
Pygmy Corydoras is a tiny fish. It can grow up to a maximum length of 2.1 cm (0.83 inches), which is less than an inch.
Pygmy Corydoras Reproduction
When Pygmy Corydoras breed, the female holds 2 to 4 eggs between her pelvic fins.
The male then fertilizes the eggs for about 30 seconds. After that, the female swims to a good location and sticks the very sticky eggs there.
They keep doing this until they have fertilized and attached around 100 eggs.
Pygmy Corydoras Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Genus: | Corydoras |
| Scientific Name: | Corydoras pygmaeus |
| Also Known As: | Pygmy Corydoras, Pygmy Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |