Pygmy Corydoras are one of the tiniest fish types that are famous for their gentle behavior. On the contrary, the bettas always stand out from the aquarium thanks to their charming appearance and super aggressiveness. Interestingly, these two species also share swimming attributes in common. That’s why several adopters have come up with the idea to put pygmy corydoras with bettas.
Some objections raise that pygmy corydoras are certainly vulnerable to bettas if they live together. During their coexistence, the smaller one can face a threat, attack, or chase from bettas, affecting their mental health and longevity.
In fact, these two fish species can still survive in harmony within an aquarium community. Of course, risks can still happen, but you can minimize them in some ways. Let’s see what to do!
Contents
Can You Keep Pygmy Corydoras With Betta?
Yes. Bettas and pygmy corydoras can perfectly accompany the same tank space. This combination is even favored by many experienced fish adopters.
Both fish species possess quite fast, flexible, and active movements in the water. This first resemblance can restrain some common accidents, such as fast swimmers napping the fins/tails of slow swimmers.
They rarely disturb each other because of their different preferences for swimming space. You can easily see pygmy corydoras residing in the bottom of the tank or often lurking in the decorative plants. Meanwhile, bettas mostly float up on the top that is close to the water’s surface.
Behavioral differences also contribute to their coexistence. Bettas only attack tankmates when it perceives an encroachment on their own territory. You can rest assured since peaceful pygmy corydoras hardly annoy other residents.
Compared to the combination of two fighting fish types, keeping pygmy corydoras with bettas is more interesting and less risky.
How Many Pygmy Corydoras Can Be Kept With Betta?
Pygmy corydoras are schooling fish. Interacting with their fellows can help them lead a more active and healthy life.
The tiny size of pygmy corydoras allows you to keep them in large numbers. 10-12 individuals/school is considered proper depending on tank size.
This number is also highly recommended if your tank residents are only bettas and pygmy corydoras. When you keep a few other species, you can reduce them so they can adapt better together.
Please bear in mind that too many (over 15) or too few (under 6) dwellers can also lead to stress or anxiety in pygmy corydoras. Therefore, we highly recommend that you consider a moderate number of members.
What To Do If Bettas Attack On Pygmy Corydoras?
Despite the insignificant risks, you should not overlook their possibility.
Collisions can happen when you feed or when pygmy corydoras accidentally swim near the bettas’ private space. In cases like this, pygmy corydoras often have a much lower hand.
Bettas probably chase them, drive them out of their food, or worse, tear them down. Bettas’ attack can damage the corydoras fish’s mental health and life.
It is not easy to keep track of them thoroughly. That’s why you can prepare some solutions before a collision actually happens. You can follow our suggestions to protect the fish in their safe zone
- First and foremost, equip the tank with a large enough size, especially in depth. The greater the distance between the bottom of the tank and the surface, the lower the likelihood of fights.
- Installing more caves or decorative aquatic plants is also worth trying. This not only creates more living space in everyday life but also creates more hiding spots for pygmy corydoras when running away from bettas
- Maintaining a balanced pH (5.5-7) is a way to balance the community, especially for species like bettas.
- Adding more food at each meal can prevent bettas from competing with other species. This method is somehow effective, but it is not highly recommended. Careless feeding can affect the digestive health of the fish.
Pygmy Corydoras With Betta: Diet and Tank Requirements
Diet
Aquarists rarely have difficulty in feeding pygmy corydoras. They are omnivores, and more importantly, they themselves can dig for food.
Pygmy corydoras have a habit of digging through the tank bottom and eating anything they find, such as larvae, small insects, fish droppings, or bettas’ leftovers. So, even if you don’t feed them, they still have a way to survive.
You can feed bettas’ food to these tiny residents. The caution is the nutritional composition. Fighting fish requires a lot of energy, so their food has a higher protein content. Bettas’ food can be a bit difficult to digest for pygmy corydoras.
Don’t cut back on the amount of meat-based food available to bettas. Our advice is to combine with other foods to balance diets for both species.
Currently, you can find sinking wafers, which are specifically designed for bottom dwellers. They will quickly sink to the bottom of the tank and reach the corydoras faster. This way helps them have their own food while preventing bettas from scrambling.
Tank Requirements
Tank size is the decisive factor when keeping bettas and pygmy corydoras. Make sure you’ve equipped a tank with at least 10 gallons of water. Although bettas seem to prefer enormous aquariums, this size still ensures living space and a safe zone for the residents. Of course, we recommend tank expansion for a more comfortable habitat.
Do not forget to monitor the water condition. A pH of 6.5-7 and a temperature of 25 to 27 degrees Celsius will create an ideal environment for both.
As you may not know, pH extent and water temperature can assist these little creatures in staying calm. The decrease in water quality can harm the fish’s mind. With bettas, they can become even more aggressive and sensitive.
FAQs
Can Corydoras Poison Other Fish?
Surprisingly, corydoras have a self-poisonous mechanism when they are on the verge of mental breakdown. When corydoras’ mind is in alarming panic, their gills secrete toxic mucus.
This suicidal way has a significant impact on other surrounding dwellers who share the tank bottom with them. A few cases reported that the poison of corydoras could cause sudden death for other species.
You should be aware of this rare happening when keeping them with aggressive bettas. The only way to prevent this dire situation is to ensure the morale of the fish.
What Fish Can I Keep With Corydoras?
Corydoras is a friendly and easygoing resident who can easily get along well with other species. You can choose fish with similar characteristics, such as bottom dwellers, gentleness, and fast swimming movement. Tetras, Otocinclus Catfish, Swordtails, and of course, Cory’s family are wise choices.
Conclusion
In sum, putting pygmy corydoras with bettas may take more time and care, but you get the excitement out of it in return. Many people share that their aquarium comes to life thanks to the opposite activity of these two fish.
