Pygmy Corydoras: EVERYTHING you need to know! Complete care guide.

We're back with another fish files! This time I'm covering the tiny Pygmy Corydoras. These guys have definitely sealed their place in future fish tanks with their funny interactions and constant buzzing around the aquarium.
There are other corys out there but I don't know what it is about these little guys, maybe it's because they are tiny they just seem even cuter!
Plant list:
glossostigma elatinoides
eriocaulon sp vietnam
anubias nana
anubias nana bonzai
various bucephalandra
hyptis laciniata
water lettuce (floating plant)
Affiliate links to some of my favourite products below:
NT Labs test kit UK amzn.to/48FI854
Fluval FX2 UK amzn.to/45k4hTE US amzn.to/46FhJTi
Fluval FX6 UK amzn.to/3ZIrEoP US amzn.to/3ZITTU8
Fluval 407 UK amzn.to/3F81baQ US amzn.to/3PDHtbG
Fluval Plant LED UK amzn.to/46BLGUb US amzn.to/46F4dyR
Fluval Aquasky LED UK amzn.to/3Q9zO6A US amzn.to/3ZN9QZN
Water Lettuce UK amzn.to/3RHNXce

[@merriehenderson6094]

I added three to a nano tank recently and fell in love with them. Since then the number has jumped to 20. I haven't been keeping aquariums for almost 30 years and recently started back with nano tanks. These guys weren't even a thing back then. They are such happy little guys, they remind me of bumblebees.

[@FishShopMatt]

That's amazing!

[@martincregg]

Did they breed or did you buy more?

[@unsocialbutterfly5760]

That’s the first thing I said when I added them to my tank…bumble bees!

[@LowFrequencyJim]

I recently added Corydoras Hasbrosus to my tank. They're my fish Catfish and I've fell in love. They tend to group up in 2-3s adventuring around the tank, they do cool synchronized dances too!

[@scrubjay93]

Many might be surprised at the lack of aquatic plants in many fish habitats - in places where seasonal flows are high, the rocky substrate is completely mobilized and no plants can root. I spent years snorkeling in California rivers studying fish - lots of large wood and rocks but nothing that looked like planted aquariums. I love these fish species "deep dives"!! These are cute little guys💚

[@Mike-db8ew]

Interesting. I was skeptical hearing that corydoras need a sandy substrate to be healthy.

[@jameshunt4097]

Pygmy corys hng out in groups of three or four, one sits as a look out while the others eat and then they swap over. I love these little guys

[@mountainhobbit1971]

these Pygmy's are definitely the cutest Corydoras ever...brilliant as usual Matt. Cheers!

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks so much!

[@benbarnett5684]

Matt! It was awesome to meet you at Aquashella Daytona! Thank you! These little pygmy cories are so cute, one of my top 10 favorite fish!

[@cathyhendrix7552]

I love the species spotlights. I learn so much about many different types of fish. I even get to see and learn about new fish and fish that I didn't know exist. Thanks Matt. Keep 'em coming.

[@melinawatson2272]

I have my pygmy's in with a female betta and my guppies! I need to get a bigger group of them once I rescape the tank this weekend!

[@plzifan3773]

Im glad you mentoined that C. pygmaeus really REALLY enjoy being in larger groups than most other corydoras. Our lfs recommends at least a dozen, in smaller groups they can be too shy to come out to eat. C. pygmaeus actually are mimics of Otocinclus. They can shoal together, and Ive heard a rumor (once) that having pygmaeus in a tank can encourage Otocinclus to spawn.

[@Mialee137]

I have these guys with some shrimp and my male betta. He is an absolute angel though and they are not scared of him at all. Lovely little fish. Absolutely love them 😊

[@perryallen9058]

I just got back into the freshwater hobby after taking a break from saltwater for a few years. Just picked up some of these guys for myself! They're adorable, look like little tadpoles swimming around

[@FishShopMatt]

That's great that you're back on the hobby! You've picked a great species!

[@LollysGarden]

I was on a tirade about KZbin chefs using mushrooms that are unattainable then turned on your video. My husband lost it laughing when you said “after that little tirade” …. How did you even know I just had a tirade 😂🤣😂 We have 6 albino Corydoras and love them so much. Would love to have the little Pygmy Cory’s in the future.

[@majorbruster5916]

Hi Matt! I first bred pygmaeus back in 1979, and have been keeping them on and off since then. These guys are a must for small to medium tanks without predatory fishes. I find they do perfectly well in clear water without any tannins or fulvins, so long as the water and substrate are clean. Dirty conditions do not suit them. By all means, add "botanicals" for a more 'natural' look, but they can survive without them, so people shouldn't worry if they can't provide this.

[@Chinco_NL]

Ah, cool! KeepingFishSimple did a video over breeding these guys recently. I'm looking into doping just that, in the same manner he did. Thank you for the video!

[@FishShopMatt]

That's awesome, I wish I had the time to see what other KZbinrs were doing. Maybe one day I can catch up hahaha.

[@alanmalcolm8055]

Love these fish. I've got 5 and spawn all the time. Such entertaining fish, and easy to care for.

[@LaBeLsDistracted]

Thanks for this @fishshopmatt ! Timing is perfect! Loving the fish files!

[@FishShopMatt]

No problem 👍

[@diamdante]

One of my favourite fish, so underrated and deserving of more love

[@Aquafinity]

Thanks for the info Matt! Pygmy Cory’s are definitely one of the cutest fish ever!!

[@Vincent-kx9ze]

Mini rant taken in context and appreciated 😀

[@RussClark-ok7ld]

I just yesterday got pygmy corydoras for my 10 gallon tank. I didn't know how much they could add to an aquarium until I watched this video. My wife and I both love them now. We have other cories in other bigger tanks but these are so different from the bigger ones. Big fan of your channel Matt.

[@andypne5454]

Brilliant Matt. Excellent knowledge.

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!

[@jaykay3889]

I’ve kept them with green neon tetras…almost 0% fry survival rate. Pygmy eggs were their favorite food. I’ve also kept them with chili rasboras…almost 100% fry survival rate.

[@Finkeldinken]

Ooh, thank you for sharing your experience - that’s really useful!

[@caiocesar8242]

Ty for sharing bro, you think emerald rasbora or cpd would work out? I've got 4x cory hastatus but they are so much shy and panic whenever I get close to the tank, the tank is 5 gallon and they share it with snails only, been thinking of adding some more fish to see if they get calmer...

[@bithplease1779]

Awesome! Love the pigmy corydoras

[@stevecox8066]

They really are the cutest little corydoras and very easy to fall in love with them. My store got a few, I bought them, they got more, so I got more hahaha. You already pegged their tank buddies - my shrimp tank along with couple ottocinclus. Cuteness overload for certain!

[@martincregg]

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! 18 months ago I bought three otos. Got them home and noticed one was a little different - same size and colouration, but had barbels. A few mins of research later and I realized I had a pigmy Cory. It has lived happily in a 25 gallon community tank including large bristlenose and an angelfish. That said - I only saw it occasionally.

[@laneyowen8291]

THIS IS INSANE TIMING I LITERALLY JUST BOUGJT MY CORYS TODAY THEYRE MY FIRST FISH EVER AND YOU INSPIRED ME TO START A TANK TYSM

[@valeriee9532]

Thanks, Matt! I love the fish files❤️🌱🐠🌱🐟🌱

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like them!

[@judithchiasson8554]

glad to see you have fallen in love with the most coryadorable of all!! : D

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha I certainly have!

[@titanuranus2136]

The Alder cones you have and their sticks are great for tannings, a few go a long way. They grow allover the UK, should be loads of them on the floor in autumn, they land on my car at work.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah I collect mine from all around my house. I come home with pockets full hahaha

[@lburgess3098]

So pleased you are doing this and I’m so fascinated with Pygmy Corydora’s, Hoping to get some of these soon, so this couldn’t have come at a better time. 😊

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! Glad I could help!

[@Knights.of.Ni.]

Tanks looking great so far.

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like it

[@gigi3242]

Thanks Matt. Be well

[@ronaldvanhogeloon4405]

Yes new video! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@FishShopMatt]

Hello! Thanks for watching!

[@stonepiggy]

Great video as always! BTW I know there was some confusion about shoaling and schooling at some point in the past. A shoal of fish is a group that is staying together for social reasons, and a school of fish is when they act in unison with a purpose (like predator evasion) or swim in the same direction. 🐟

[@FishShopMatt]

I always forget this, it's a random bit of info I can never keep in!

[@telinoz1975]

Excellent guide.

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Thanks matt! Great information on the Pygmy corydoras! Enjoyed ot mate 🙂👍🏻

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cindylundberg125]

I adore my Corydoras . My Otos love hanging out with them

[@pagewhite8177]

Great info on these cute little fish Matt, thank you. I love Corys, I have kept the pygmies yet but they are on my list.

[@FishShopMatt]

Well worth it!

[@mrsunofabtoyou]

The iconic tea position, and then he Pokes her in the belly LOL😂

[@chrissys9474]

I love cories so much! I’m raising about 40-50 peppered cories at the moment that hatched Tuesday 😄 in a small tank for now with some shrimp to clean up the waste! Adults are in a with my Channa Bleheri! Which does work and do get along 😊 adults are spawning like mad as my Channa (Squidge) is in his colder 6months! 😊

[@Babyluthi]

Really loving your vids:) Thanks!

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you like them!

[@coelacanth9311]

One of my favourite fish.

[@FishShopMatt]

Same here!

[@allonewordcaps]

Thank you for the great video.

[@jessicasinclair323]

Just bought 6 of these! Wish I'd got more now. Living with my neocaridina, kuhli loaches and juvenile female betta. Seem to swim in 2 groups of 3. Got loads of plants, driftwood, botanicals and rocks to dart into if they so wish. This video's come just the right time. Cheers!

[@belafishhobby]

loving your content watching all the way from South Africa - Johannesburg

[@JDubz13]

Matt i just want to thank you for helping me get back in the hobby. Keep up the good work and wouldnt mind if you did a fish files on some Apistogrammas

[@JJLewin1]

Hard to find these in Norfolk, always on the lookout for them. I love Cory's, they are great additions to any tanks. As always, many thanks Matt 🐟

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you! Keep looking I'm sure they'll appear at some point!

[@Soulessdeeds]

I love Cory's. I especially love the Gold Lazer Cory's.

[@FishShopMatt]

They are lovely!

[@MCM1965]

That is a beautiful tank!!! I have Pygmy Cory’s and love them! Great little fish 😊 I have 11 of them and they do like to swim with my Endlers 😊

[@thearrogantcorndog5704]

Great video Mateo

[@FishShopMatt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sherararara]

My pygmy corydoras schoal with the lemon tetras. They're thriving in the tank with our clown loaches and angelfish at 27⁰. They also love the oto's! Great video!!

[@dunkb73]

Feel better soon matty

[@bbfishkc]

Great video! Love these fish! My favorite are the females since they are always so round and chunky looking! 😂

[@FishShopMatt]

Hahaha they are proper little chunks!

[@kathleenbronson9849]

Love the video...have 8 in a 40 breeder....just moved them in...They haven't gotten used to such a big tank.....waiting for my LFS to get a dozen more for a total of 20....Hello from Vancouver Island Canada❤! Love the video!

[@pegleggreg3627]

Great video! Habrosus (salt and pepper) are like true corydora. Bottom dwellers and look like your regular Cory, but tinier. Pygmys and tail spot (hastatus) look a little different than other corys and have a more adorable face. Both swim around and enjoy mid water. Apparently the tail spots are slightly more outgoing and active than Pygmy, but never kept them.

[@darrylmoore5847]

Awesome video

[@FishShopMatt]

Thanks!

[@judyallinson1281]

Great video ❤

[@FishShopMatt]

Thank you!!

[@IndoorEcosystem]

One of my absolute favourites as well! Probably the best nano fish, up there with Celestial Pearl Danios.

[@FishShopMatt]

Totally agree!

[@hotwillz78]

I made a betta sorority tank for about 6 to 8 females. Only other fish is about 25 or so pygmies. They interact very well, and the pygmies put on some good entertainment.

[@Chompchompyerded]

I did an Amazonian river tank once. I was able to keep the silt load up high enough so that you couldn't two knuckles deep by having a Fluval FX-6 turned up to max flow in a 20 gallon tank. Of course you couldn't scape it, But then again, you couldn't see in to see if it was scaped, just like the real thing, and there aren't many places along the lower and middle reaches of the Amazon where anything grows. You have to get off into the jungle during flood season before you can see into it, and since it only stays flooded during a portion of the year, and since the trees let in so little light, there just isn't much plant life growing there either other than the trees. After thinking about it, I decided that I could not subjugate any fish to that horrible tank, but I always claimed that there were fishes in it, including pyranha, and I let people know that if they didn't think there were, they were free to stick their hands in there. No one ever took me up on that. I've torn that tank down now, and cleaned it thoroughly so that I can use it for scaping and for keeping actual fish in, but it was a lot of fun while I had it running as an "Amazon" tank. Tanks which use lots of tannins to tint otherwise clear water are more representative of the Rio Negro, or at least used to be before illegal mining got started in the region. Plants do grow along the banks of the Rio Negro and its tributaries. It is a part of the Amazon basin and watershed, and that may be where the misnomer came from. There are also clear rivers and streams in Argentina and Paraguay where a lot of the South American ciclids come from as well as some tetras. The thing which has baffled me is why so few of Chile's beautiful aquatic live has never found its way into our aquariums. I used to go kayaking a lot on the Rio Claro, and I saw a lot of pretty fish would have made beautiful additions to any aquarium, but were unknown to me before I went there. The one reason for it that I can think of is the waters there are glacier fed, and are very cold. One would need a fairly hefty chiller to keep it cold enough. But returning to the subject of this video, I have a hard time not including Corydora into my tanks. They, and Kuhli Loaches are my favourite bottom dwellers, and the pygmy Corys bring the same fun of the other corys to the mid tank. It's too bad that there isn't a top water Cory. If there was, I'd have a tank with nothing but corys in it! My favourite cory is the Cryptic Corydora. They are hard to come by though, and they are usually a bit pricy. Though they always live a long life, I've never been able to get the Cryptic Corydoras to breed; something which has not been difficult among the other cory species I've kept. I will need to find what their range is, where they spawn, and what the conditions are like when they spawn, and perhaps I'll have better luck with them. I will say though, that I have never seen them for sale other than wild caught, so it may be that they just refuse to spawn in captivity. It also might be a matter of diet.-That would be something which might be resolved if I find what their range is, and what sort of water they live in, along with what they eat. Anyone who has any information on this, or who has successfully bred the cryptic corydora should please chime in!

[@mandyminshull2351]

I love mine that I have in my nano tanks. They look so cute

[@cooldude44ish]

Have a nice little school of the hastatus and I absolutely adore them. Mix about with my golden white clouds and all

[@Madsolav83]

Nice just added a bunch to my shrimp tank. Fun little guys zooming around

[@FishShopMatt]

Aren't they great!

[@Madsolav83]

@@FishShopMatt they are awsome and they removed most of my planaria as well

[@staticborris85]

2 plus 2 always equals 12... you only need to worry when you add 12 and 12 together and get 2. great informative video. Ive always loved corys, especially in the early evening when they fly up and down the sides of the tank. Keep up the great contenet, and dont let MD work you too hard 😉

[@Blakeyboy123434]

I have 10 emerald eye rasboras along with 3 pyggies and 4 s&p's. Everyone gets along fine, the pyggies think they're rasboras sometimes. S&p's are more chill than the Pygs (and cuter too imo). Another great video Matt! Cheers!

[@katum9391]

I enjoyed that

[@DustyRose65]

It has been a long time since I kept fish. I loved cory fish. I had a couple pinkys with a redcap. The personalities of both were so similar. The fun thing was when the cory swam up the side and upside down across the surface.

[@GLP_Aquatics]

I am filming them at the moment for some content :) happy you have covered them! they deserve more of the limelight. so flipping awesome. they are as you say AWESOME!! :) i am commenting early (you might cover it) but they are community breeders and will not eat their own eggs or fry.... (with the correct rocky set up with spawning mops (i am trying different plants instead)). all over the tank shoalers, in and out of rocks :)

[@danielpfister866]

I got them too - very nice 🤩🤩🤩

[@kpKUSS]

I have pygmy cories in with some black neon tetras and they do readily shoal together! It was almost instantaneous when I put them together.

[@the_jtown1952]

this was helpful because I just picked up a group of pygmys at a fish swap over the weekend.

[@sharongould2689]

I LOVE pygmy cories! they are soooooo cute, and the way they stop and perch on a leaf or rock, then go zooming again- they are just great! My numbers have sadly gotten down to two after I had tank issues and sadly I just dont have the spare cash atm to buy more, but they are kept with a heap of cherry shrimp, some nano rasporas, a few endlers (when I lost some rasporas in the same tank problem I added endlers and the remaining rasporas are happier/ less skittish) and a bristlenose. So long as enough food is provided competition is not an issue, and my shrimp breed fine. The bristlenose was a tiddler when I first put him in but he has gotten to the size he needs to be relocated as I don't really want to keep him in that sized tank any bigger than he is now. He does bully everyone for food, but I spread it around and he will be happily nomming in one place while shrimp will be spread out elsewhere and the cories comfortably come in for their food. These two I've had at least 18 months I'm sure and they are quite happy with me being near their tank. Can't wait to get more, they are so much fun to watch schooling around especially since they are more active midwater than other cories!

[@csharpe5787]

Yey it's hrre thanks matt. 🙂

[@FishShopMatt]

Hope you like it!

[@rodd555]

I got these too . They great. started with 9 have 40 odd now with blue shrimp and Chile rasbora.

[@robkuijer9273]

@6:25 _Corydoras hastatus_ shoals together with _Hyphessobrycon elachys_ .They have identical coloration as well, silver with a black spot on the base of the tail. Haven't heard of _C. pygmaeus_ doing the same thing.

[@FishShopMatt]

Yeah that's my old brain getting confused, too many snowboarding injuries hahaha

[@speckledjim_]

Theyre very like Kestrels in that they'll be swimming along kind of mid water and they'll stop suddenly and hover on the spot. They're really good at it :)

[@hieuvu6032]

I love them too..Tiny and so kute

[@allonewordcaps]

Yay big tank

[@audreycooper4860]

I have black phantom tetras and I am going to add Pygmy Cory’s, it’s a 29 gallon heavily planted so hopefully they will get along just fine! My LFS only had 2 Pygmy Cory’s left so they ordered more and I have put them on hold. They’re so precious

[@nathanrandall]

Got these to go in my tank started with 8 sadly only have 4 left thankfully they seem to get along with the ember tetras and shrimp

[@Babyluthi]

I have these fish and they are beyond adorable!🙂💙More: Mine are in with cardinal, blue neon, green neon and glowlight tetras and they shoal with all of them. The also play with them in the bubble stream and water intake. They are super cute, super friendly and like to laze about of leaves in groups as well:)

[@FishShopMatt]

That's a great community you have there!

[@Babyluthi]

@@FishShopMatt Thank you🙂💙

[@mrsunofabtoyou]

But seriously excellent video, I really want some pygmy corydoras.

[@gemmacorinne9487]

Yes!!! Do shrimp! You guys have inspired me to set up a shrimp tank and unfortunately I’ve lost a few, but they seem to be doing ok now… but would love more tips and info, like with this video

[@cynthiahinkle5573]

Haven’t seen you on KZbin for a few days. Hope you’re feeling better.

[@user-iy9yb7hb9e]

My pygmies like to shoal with my ottos, and black emperor tetras. So I certainly agree with your assessment. The are also as cute as bunnies...

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

As a reef tank keeper, I wanted to keep all types of corals in the same tank but I learned really quick that doesn't really work. I started in a sumpless 55G with a hangon refugium and skimmer. I upgraded to 120g display, a 50g sump and 20g refugium. It would be impossible to cover the entire ocean in one tank but you can break it up into tanks that do display or function like they do in nature. Trying to capture an entire river in one tank would also be impossible but you could do sections in multiple tanks.

[@Shakodancer16]

I used to have some and I do think I want to get some more ❤

[@FishShopMatt]

Definitely worth it!

[@hydrostream76]

I have 60 of them in a 110 gallon tank and love them When they do swim it's a whole school lucky to get them on sale

[@tracys.6033]

I love these little guys! Along with Clown killi's. My other reason for getting back into the hobby. I blame it all on them! I have not been lucky enough to have successful breeding but remain hopeful. I read a lot about keeping in low water flow but mine love to swim in front of output. Yes, they go there on purpose. No, they dont like it when I adjust to slower flow. They love to surf.! My clown killi's do the same. Have in 20g long dedicated to nothing bigger than my largest male clown killi. So of course, I set up another tank for larger corys and tetras, and another and... well you know. But these guys are truely special to keep.

[@pedrocastel8177]

Hi Matt from Bolivia! You won't believe where I found Coridoras Hastatus here un Santa cruz , Bolivia! They are beautiful and when You gently take them look like small gold pebles amongst the mud

[@MandyJane123700]

They're the cutest little fish! They're so hard to find where I live, though.

[@grootjnr]

Nice one mate! Deffo do a Shrimp scape!!!!

[@FishShopMatt]

That's the plan!

[@Tikistribe]

Awesome information on the Pygmy Cory. Was great to meet you at Aquashella. Could you do a video on good common dither fish. I am looking for Tetra varieties but would love to hear your thoughts on other groups too?

[@franko1642]

They're beautiful, first i bought a group of 6 but had a problem with the temperature and 4 died 😢 but thankfully the reaming 2 are more than fine, thankfully i just bought 5 more recently. For me they're like litlle hummingbirds swinging their fins 😊 and staying still in one point in the middle of the tank, I have them with 14 neon tetras, 1 betta fish (he's cool, no worries, he's not really fighty with everyone), 3 otocinclus and a lot of shrimps.

[@Shadstar256]

Mine are so cute! They think everything with stripes is friend and try to school with them.

[@richiep430]

Hi Matt, would be great if you could scape a shrimp tank, I’m looking to do one too. Would love to get your expertise on it. Keep up the top quality content.😊

[@kiku-goldenflower7731]

I'm currently setting up two tanks. I'm planing on putting Pygmy Cory's with some forktail Blue-eyes in one of them.

[@fannymcfee69]

I have about 20 lil ones in my 250l🥰 fully planted ofc

[@fannymcfee69]

Also found my Pygmy’s love to hanging out with the dwarf loaches

[@sigspearthumb9574]

The tetra you were thinking about is the reed tetra ! Look very similar

[@CarolynnMc01]

They must be scaredy catfish-ish! I'm going to get some for my nano tank! They're adorable.