Pygmy cory tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for pygmy corys are bettas, corydoras and guppies. Each match shares pygmy corys' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

A cory that swims in mid-water schools. Fits a nano tank.

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 10 gal
With care: 23
Avoid: 19

How each group of fish does with pygmy corys. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Blue gourami At 5 inches a blue gourami can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Red tail shark At 5 inches a red tail shark can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Rainbow shark At 6 inches a rainbow shark can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pygmy corys.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast pygmy corys will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Yoyo loach At 5 inches a yoyo loach can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Chinese algae eater Chinese algae eaters grow to 10 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pygmy corys.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Kissing gourami At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Pearl gourami At 5 inches a pearl gourami can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Clown loach At 8 inches a clown loach can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Dojo loach At 6 inches a dojo loach can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Firemouth cichlid At 6 inches a firemouth cichlid can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Electric blue acara At 6 inches an electric blue acara can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Tinfoil barb At 12 inches a tinfoil barb can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Severum At 8 inches a severum can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Swordtail At 5 inches a swordtail can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Blood parrot At 8 inches a blood parrot can swallow a small pygmy cory. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Silver dollar Silver dollars grow to 6 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pygmy corys.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6, pygmy corys want pH 6–7.5.

Avoid

Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); pygmy corys need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive and will bully peaceful pygmy corys.
Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); pygmy corys need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Angelfish An adult angelfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Elephant nose fish At 9 inches an elephant nose fish can swallow a 1-inch pygmy cory whole.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful pygmy corys.
Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pygmy corys do.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, pygmy corys need 72–79°F.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful pygmy corys.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); pygmy corys need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); pygmy corys need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, pygmy corys need 72–79°F.
Peacock cichlid At 6 inches a peacock cichlid can swallow a 1-inch pygmy cory whole.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, pygmy corys need 72–79°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the pygmy cory care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for pygmy corys?

Bettas, Corydoras, Guppies, Honey gouramis, Cherry shrimp. They share pygmy corys' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with pygmy corys?

Axolotls, Pea puffers, Pictus catfish, Goldfish, Angelfish. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); pygmy corys need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.