Pygmy corydoras

The pygmy corydoras reaches about 3 cm standard length and is the smallest of the Corydoras catfish. Unlike most corys that stay on the bottom, this species frequently hovers in the middle water column — a behaviour unique among corydoras. It comes from the Madeira River basin in Brazil. A tank with a base of 45 by 30 cm (about 42.5 L) can house a school of six or more, and they should always be kept in groups to feel secure. Temperature of 22–26 °C and pH 6.4–7.4 with soft to moderate hardness suit them. A sand substrate is essential to protect their delicate barbels. The small mouth means all foods must be fine-grade: crushed flake, micro pellets, and small live or frozen foods like daphnia and brine shrimp. They are completely peaceful and make excellent companions for tiny characins, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp. The species is sexed by body shape — males are more slender, females rounder when full of eggs. They spawn readily in the aquarium, depositing eggs on plant leaves or the glass. A cover of floating plants helps them feel at ease.