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Hey Everyone,
I have a relatively empty 40 breeder and am planning on re-homing the remaining stock and converting my tank into a community tank. I've always wanted a tank with catfish, and I really like pygmy catfish. I was thinking of getting a large shoal of pygmy cories going in my tank, but they are relatively expensive where I live, and I don't want to spend a ludicrous amount of money stocking my tank with the amount of pygmy catfish I would like. I've read they are relatively easy to breed. How long would it take to get a decent population of pygmy cory catfish going in a 40 breeder if I started with 10 or so pygmy cories? I'm wondering if I would be able to stock the tank with only the pygmies, and let them breed for a few months, and then add the rest of the stock.
Also would love some input on good tankmates for pygmy cories. I've considered some other micro fish like chili rasboras, but they're not exactly cheap either, and I would need a decent amount of them to make them obvious in a 40 breeder.
Tank is currently relatively well planted with wisteria.
Thanks for any advice for a catfish newbie.

Getting 10 this weekend so I will follow your thread. If you wanna breed i think you shouldn't stock with other fish. They like a heavily planted tank.

Greetz Aad

Pygmaeus is one of those species that needs numbers or failing that, dither fish. I'd start with 10 at the very least. Provide plenty of cover. Let them settle in and fatten them up. If you can then do some water changes with quite soft water and drop the temp a little they should get going.

I got 6 in my community tank who get frisky after most water changes. I syphon in the new water trough a 6mm hose. That water is significantly cooler than the tank and laced with thawed cyclops. As soon as that starts flowing everyone shows up for snacks. After such a treat the cories get frisky the same night. Unfortunately my green neons find their eggs before I do.

I actually have fairly soft water over here so that's good. Would oto's eat cory egg's? I can't seem to find a definite answer. I'll find one thread that says they'll be fine, and another thread that says oto's are egg eaters.

FWIW my vestitus don't eat my Bronze eggs.

I would breed them in a smaller, species only tank and then transfer them to the bigger tank for growout once they are 1/4" or so.

I might just be able to do that. Anyone have any tankmates they think really go well together with pygmy cories? Preferably something cheap considering I'll be stocking a 40 breeder.

Hi all,

carsona246 wrote:I might just be able to do that. Anyone have any tankmates they think really go well together with pygmy cories? Preferably something cheap considering I'll be stocking a 40 breeder.

Otocinclus and Red Cherry shrimps, neither of them eat Corydoras eggs.

cheers Darrel

Point is that Pygmaeus also use mid-water to swim in.