Pygmy Corydoras Identification Guide
Tell the Pygmy Corydoras apart by its tiny size and a bold black stripe running the length of its body.
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Key identification features
- Very small size, typically only 2-3 cm as an adult
- A bold, continuous black horizontal stripe running from the snout through the eye to the base of the tail
- Silvery to translucent body with a faint greenish sheen
- Two pairs of short barbels near the mouth
- Rows of bony armor plates along the flanks typical of the catfish family
- Clear, unmarked fins
Common look-alikes
- Dwarf corydoras (Corydoras hastatus): very similar size and stripe, but the stripe is bordered above by a distinct dark blotch or teardrop shape near the tail that the pygmy corydoras lacks.
- Salt and pepper corydoras: shows a speckled, peppery pattern across the body rather than one clean solid stripe.
- Habrosus corydoras: displays broken dashes and spots along the sides instead of an unbroken lateral line.
Where you'll see one
Pygmy corydoras are found in slow-moving, shallow tributaries and vegetated margins of the Madeira River basin in Brazil. Unlike many of their bottom-dwelling relatives, they often school in mid-water over sand or leaf litter rather than staying pinned to the substrate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I separate a pygmy corydoras from a dwarf corydoras?
Check the tail area: the dwarf corydoras has an extra dark blotch near the base of the tail above the stripe, which the pygmy corydoras does not show.
Why does the pygmy corydoras swim in open water instead of hugging the bottom like other corydoras?
Its small size and schooling behavior lead it to forage in mid-water over sand, a habit less common among its larger bottom-dwelling relatives.