HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosPygmy corydoras Pygmy corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) Scientific name: Corydoras pygmaeus Knaack, 1966 The Pygmy corydoras (Corydoras pygmaeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows to about 2.1 cm (0.8 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs water at 20–25°C (68–77°F) and a pH of 6.4–7.4. Native range: South America, Madeira River Basin, Brazil . Pygmy corydoras care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size2.1 cm (0.8 in)Temperature20–25°C (68–77°F)pH6.4–7.4Hardness2–25 dGH (36–446 ppm)DietOmnivore. Accepts flakes. Species factsScientific nameCorydoras pygmaeusFamilyCallichthyidae (Callichthyid armored catfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length2.1EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 2 - 25 demersalClimateTropicalDistributionSouth America: Madeira River basin.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More catfish & plecosRust corydorasCorydoras rabautiPretty corydorasCorydoras pulcherSixray corydorasAspidoras pauciradiatusThreestripe corydorasCorydoras trilineatusPastaza corydorasCorydoras pastazensisPanda corydorasCorydoras pandaSee all catfish & plecos SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026