Small Corydoras
Dwarfs and Pygmies
Following on from my previous article 'From small beginnings' I thought is would be a good idea to introduce some more of the smaller species of Corydoras, these are affectionately known as 'Dwarf' or 'Pygmy' Corys. There are six species in all that I would put into this group. These are Corydoras cochui Myers & Weitzman, 1954; Corydoras gracilis Nijssen & Isbruecker, 1976; Corydoras habrosus Weitzman, 1960; Corydoras hastatus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888; Corydoras pygmaeus Knaack, 1966; and Corydoras xinguensis Nijssen, 1972. All six species grow no larger than one and a half inches standard length (Tip of snout to caudal peduncle). In the majority of all Corydoras species it is the females that grow to the largest size, and in many instances the males are noticeably smaller.
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Ian Fuller
Born in Birmingham in 1946.
A toolmaker by trade, and self confessed Corydoras nut by admission
I started keeping tropical fish in 1970 in a small 18 inch aquarium, it was not very long before I had two, four foots and two three foots set up in the spare room. Overthe first two or three years I kept and bred many of the popular fish groups. Starting with South American Cichlids, graduating through Barbs, Anabantids and Characins. Although I had kept several species of catfish during this period it wasn't until early in 1973 that I took an active interest in them. From when I bred my first species of Corydoras in 1974 I have been well and truly hooked.
My first fish house took shape in 1977 and was a sectioned off part of my garage, which housed 36 - 18 x 18 x 12 inch tanks. It was then that I started seriously breeding Corydoras a project which still continues to this day in what is now my third fish house.