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Pygmy corydoras tank mates and minimum tank size

Corydoras pygmaeus

Pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm (1.2 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F) and pH 6.4–7.4.

Minimum tank

41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long

Adult size

3 cm (1.2 in)

Temperature

22–26 °C (72–79 °F)

pH

pH 6.4–7.4

Group

6 or more

Pygmy corydoras minimum tank size

Pygmy corydoras need at least 41 L (11 US gal), in a tank at least 45 cm (18 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 3 cm (1.2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (12 cm (4.7 in)).

Pygmy corydoras tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against pygmy corydoras by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (25)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bristlenose pleco
• Bronze corydoras
• Celestial pearl danio
• Cherry barb
• Cherry shrimp
• Chili rasbora
• Common pleco
• Congo tetra
• Ember tetra
• Endler's livebearer
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Guppy
• Harlequin rasbora
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Nerite snail
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Peppered corydoras
• Platy
• Siamese algae eater
• Zebra danio

With care (15)

• BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as pygmy corydoras, many do not.
• Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and pygmy corydoras. That leaves no margin. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger discus (14 cm).
• Honey gouramiPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger honey gouramis (14 cm).
• KribensisPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger kribensis (11 cm).
• Kuhli loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.4–6.5, set by pygmy corydoras and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.4, set by mystery snails and pygmy corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Paradise fishThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by pygmy corydoras and paradise fish. That leaves no margin.
• Red tail sharkPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger red tail sharks (13 cm).
• Rosy barbThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by pygmy corydoras and rosy barbs. That leaves no margin. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger rosy barbs (14 cm).
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets.
• SwordtailPygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger swordtails (14 cm).
• Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
• White cloud mountain minnowThe only temperature that suits both is 22 °C (72 °F), set by pygmy corydoras and white cloud mountain minnows. That leaves no margin.
• Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy pygmy corydoras are likely targets. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.

Not compatible (12)

• AngelfishPygmy corydoras and angelfish: it is small enough to be eaten. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and pygmy corydoras. That leaves no margin. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); pygmy corydoras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
• Cardinal tetraPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so pygmy corydoras would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
• Dwarf gouramiPygmy corydoras and dwarf gouramis: it is small enough to be eaten. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger dwarf gouramis (9.5 cm).
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); pygmy corydoras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Pygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• GoldfishPygmy corydoras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; pygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; pygmy corydoras grow to 3 cm. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
• Pearl gouramiPygmy corydoras and pearl gouramis: it is small enough to be eaten. Pygmy corydoras (3 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger pearl gouramis (12 cm).
• Rummy-nose tetraPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank