A source-led reference for writers, hobbyists, and anyone who needs a clear, citable starting point on Gastrodermus pygmaeus, commonly known as the Pygmy Corydoras.
Last updated: October 9, 2026
Each figure below is tied to a named source and date. Aquarium conditions vary, so use the reference ranges as context, then plan for stable water and the needs of the particular fish in front of you.
2.1 cm
FishBase reports a maximum length of 2.1 cm standard length for unsexed fish. Standard length is measured to the base of the tail, so it is not the same as total length.
Source: FishBase species summary, version 2025-222–26°C
FishBase lists 22–26°C, alongside a pH range of 6.0–8.0 and a hardness range of 2–25 dH. These are reference ranges, not a substitute for a stable, well-managed aquarium.
Source: FishBase species summary, version 2025-22–4 eggs
FishBase describes females holding two to four eggs between the pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. The account says the pair can repeat the sequence until about 100 eggs have been attached.
Source: FishBase species summary, version 2025-2Least Concern
FishBase records the species as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List, with an assessment date of October 15, 2020.
Source: FishBase species summary, citing IUCN Red List version 2025-24 countries
The California Academy of Sciences’ Catalog of Fishes records the species from the Amazon basin in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. FishBase summarizes its distribution as the Madeira River basin.
Source: Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes, updated August 13, 20261966
The original description named the fish Corydoras pygmaeus. Current references may use Gastrodermus pygmaeus, while the aquarium trade commonly still uses Pygmy Corydoras or Corydoras pygmaeus.
Source: Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes, updated August 13, 2026Pygmy Corydoras are still widely sold and discussed as Corydoras pygmaeus. Scientific catalogs increasingly recognize Gastrodermus pygmaeus. Both names point readers toward the same fish when paired with Knaack’s 1966 authority and the common name.
For practical aquarium planning, Bob’s Pygmy Corydoras care guide explains school size, substrate, compatible tankmates, and feeding in plain language.
This page uses the latest visible database versions available on October 9, 2026. It favors the FishBase species summary for biological and conservation fields, then cross-checks scientific naming and documented range with Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes. It does not turn hobbyist advice into scientific data.
Bobs Pygmy Cories. “Pygmy Corydoras Facts and Statistics.” Updated October 9, 2026. https://bobspygmycories.com/pygmy-corydoras-statistics
For a direct link to a specific figure, use the anchor beside it, such as maximum reported size or spawning eggs.
Use the care guide when you are ready to turn the reference data into a home that suits a Pygmy Cory school.