{"product_id":"pygmy-cory","title":"Pygmy Corydora (Corydoras pygmaeus) (Unsexed)","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Pygmy Corydoras (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"21\"\u003eCorydoras pygmaeus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) is one of the smallest and most charming schooling catfish available in the freshwater aquarium hobby.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Unlike larger bottom-dwelling corydoras,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e these miniature catfish spend a significant portion of their time actively hovering and schooling mid-water among plant leaves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Reaching a maximum adult size of roughly one inch (2.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5 cm),\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pygmy Cories add vibrant motion to nano setups and peaceful community planted aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"attachment-container search-images md-has-block-component\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; Natural Habitat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative to South America,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pygmy Corydoras inhabit the Madeira River basin and associated tributaries,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e floodplains,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and backwaters across Brazil and Peru.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e In nature,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e they thrive in calm,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e heavily vegetated,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e warm waters with soft,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sandy bottoms covered by leaf litter and submerged wood.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eAquarium Care \u0026amp; Water Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePygmy Cories are hardy once established in a mature,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e fully cycled aquarium.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e They require stable water conditions with low to moderate water flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 72°F – 79°F (22°C – 26°C)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003epH Range:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4 – 7.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eHardness:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 2 – 12 dGH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,3,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eNitrates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Keep below 20 ppm with regular weekly water changes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eTank Size \u0026amp; Schooling Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA minimum tank size of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"23\"\u003e10 gallons\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is recommended for a starter group.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pygmy Cories are highly social shoaling fish and must be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8 individuals—though a group of 10 to 12 or more will dramatically increase their confidence,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e reduce stress,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and encourage tight mid-water schooling displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eEnvironment \u0026amp; Aquascape\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fine,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e smooth sand is strongly recommended to protect their sensitive facial barbels from erosion or bacterial infection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Coarse,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sharp gravel must be avoided.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eDecor \u0026amp; Plants:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pygmy Cories appreciate dense live plantings (such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"11,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"70\"\u003eAnubias\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Java Fern,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and stem plants) along with driftwood and botanical leaf litter to mimic their natural biotope.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Broad-leafed plants provide ideal resting ledges where they perch throughout the day.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFiltration:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Gentle filtration (such as sponge filters or baffled hang-on-back\/canister returns) ensures they are not buffeted by excessive currents.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Diet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"13\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePygmy Corydoras are micro-predators requiring small,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e sinking foods tailored to their tiny mouths:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14,0,0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-quality crushed micro-pellets and sinking nano wafers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14,1,0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecapsulated brine shrimp eggs and baby brine shrimp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14,2,0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen or live cyclops,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e daphnia,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and finely chopped bloodworms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14,3,0\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed once or twice daily in small quantities that can be consumed within two to three minutes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003eIdeal Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDue to their diminutive size and peaceful nature,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pygmy Cories should only be housed with calm,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e non-aggressive species:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"17,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eNano Schooling Fish:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Chili Rasboras,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ember Tetras,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Celestial Pearl Danios,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and Neon Tetras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"17,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eInvertebrates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Neocaridina and Caridina shrimp,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Amano shrimp,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and aquatic snails.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"17,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eSurface Dwellers:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Clown Killifish and Marbled Hatchetfish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"17,3,0\"\u003e\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"17,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Large,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e boisterous,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or aggressive cichlids,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e large barbs,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or predatory catfish that may view them as food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePygmy Corydoras breed readily in captivity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Conditioning the school with high-protein live or frozen foods (such as baby brine shrimp) combined with a slight temperature drop during a cool water change often triggers spawning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFemales deposit small adhesive eggs individually or in small clusters on fine-leaved plants like Java Moss or on aquarium glass.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Adults will predate on their own eggs and fry,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e so removing the parents or transferring the eggs to a dedicated rearing container with an air-stone and methylene blue will yield the best survival rate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KGTropicals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41445057364032,"sku":null,"price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1478\/2240\/files\/Unknown-26.jpg?v=1792692224","url":"https:\/\/keepfishkeeping.com\/products\/pygmy-cory","provider":"KGTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}