{"product_id":"pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater","title":"Pygmy Cory (Corydoras pygmaeus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePygmy Cory\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eCorydoras pygmaeus\u003c\/em\u003e) is the smallest corydoras in the hobby, a silver sliver about an inch long with a crisp black stripe running nose to tail. What makes it special is not the size, it is the behavior: unlike every other cory, pygmies school in the \u003cstrong\u003eopen water column\u003c\/strong\u003e like tetras, drifting through the middle of the tank in a tight group and only dropping to the sand to forage. A dozen of them turn a nano tank into something alive. Care level is beginner, temperament is peaceful. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003elive fish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuy a group, not a pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are true schooling fish. Six is the bare minimum and \u003cstrong\u003eeight to twelve is where they actually behave naturally\u003c\/strong\u003e, staying out in the open instead of hiding. A lone pygmy cory is a stressed, invisible fish.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10 gallons is plenty for a school, and longer beats taller since they are constantly on the move. They are one of the few catfish genuinely suited to a nano tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand is not optional:\u003c\/strong\u003e cories feed by sifting substrate through their barbels, and sharp gravel wears those barbels down until they get infected. Use \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003efine aquarium sand\u003c\/a\u003e or very smooth, rounded fine gravel. Nothing sharp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e micro foods only. Their mouths are far too small for standard flakes and wafers, so what works is \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003emicro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-nano-slow-sinking-pellets-nano-fish-food\"\u003enano sinking pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, crushed food, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebaby brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003emini bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e. Make sure food actually reaches the bottom; faster tankmates will beat them to it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 79°F, pH 6.4 to 7.4, soft to moderately hard. Adaptable, but sensitive to nitrate buildup, so keep up with water changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e planted tanks suit them perfectly. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava moss\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cryptocoryne-wendtii-bronze-potted-freshwater-crypt-plant\"\u003ecrypts\u003c\/a\u003e, and some floating cover give them confidence, and open sand at the front gives them somewhere to forage where you can watch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/strong\u003e gentle. They are tiny and weak swimmers compared to a stream fish, so avoid strong outflow, and screen any intake that could catch a fish this small.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e egg scatterers rather than cave spawners. A well fed group in clean water will lay eggs on plants and glass. Adults will eat the eggs, so move them to a separate container if you want fry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCorydoras pygmaeus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePygmy Cory, Pygmy Corydoras, Dwarf Corydoras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRio Madeira basin, Brazil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1 inch (2.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6, ideally 8 to 12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.4 to 7.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFine sand or smooth rounded gravel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, micro sinking foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwim level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMidwater and bottom, unusual for a cory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful with everything, which is exactly the problem: \u003cstrong\u003eat one inch long, a pygmy cory is a snack for a lot of ordinary community fish.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything with a mouth big enough will eventually try. Skip angelfish, larger cichlids, big gouramis, and adult bettas with a hunting streak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right tankmates are nano fish. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galaxy-rasbora-celestichthys-margaritatus-freshwater\"\u003eGalaxy Rasboras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003edwarf shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e all make excellent company. They also mix happily with larger cories such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Cories\u003c\/a\u003e, though the two groups tend to school separately rather than together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, small enough for a pygmy mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-nano-slow-sinking-pellets-nano-fish-food\"\u003eXtreme Nano Slow-Sinking Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, made for exactly this size of fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eMini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e for frozen variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquarium Sand\u003c\/a\u003e, the barbel-safe substrate they need\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cryptocoryne-wendtii-bronze-potted-freshwater-crypt-plant\"\u003eCryptocoryne wendtii\u003c\/a\u003e for planted cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEight to twelve. Six is the absolute floor. Below that they stay hidden and stressed, and you lose the schooling behavior that is the whole reason to keep them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is mine swimming in the middle of the tank instead of the bottom?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause that is normal for this species. Pygmy cories are the odd one out in the genus and spend much of the day hovering and drifting in open water. Nothing is wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep them on gravel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly if it is fine and smooth with no sharp edges. Sand is much safer. Sharp substrate wears down their barbels, and damaged barbels get infected and make it hard for them to find food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they good algae eaters?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Cories are scavengers that sift the substrate for leftover food, not algae grazers. They will help keep uneaten food from rotting, but they still need to be fed properly. For algae, look at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48776375271643,"sku":"2.49","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/2b077e2b-22ca-4f3f-bb3f-047c28600c76.png?v=1785026563","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pygmy-cory-corydoras-pygmaeus-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}