Bottom feeder for my 20g

Gourami's won't eat pygmy cory cats, or much of anything else larger than small fry.

I'd go for 10-12, they're a small social fish.

6 is a far more appropriate number in a 20g tank, 10-20 is WAY to many for that tank


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IME 10-12 would be fine, they certainly wouldn't be overcrowded and have a low bio-load.. And you'd definitely be able to tell how the bio-load is based on water testing results.

But...

I wouldn't really call C. Pygmaeus a bottom feeder, mine always seem to be up in the mid-level.

Perhaps half a dozen C. Habrosus or an Aspidoras species would better serve your needs and plenty of fun to watch too.


otherwise, have you considered dwarf crayfish? CPOs are pretty cool, and I have a number of Cambarellus texanus that are quiet and peaceful.


There's an NJAS event in East Brunswick this weekend, you might be able to pick up something interesting at the Sunday auction (or sell something if you'd prefer)

Pygmies are open swimmers...they only rest on the bottom. Go with pandas or something else that stays small.

FreshyFresh said:

I've found that 4 aren't enough for them to be comfortable in their surroundings. I had 4 emerald corys in my 29g. I started with 6 in the very beginning (Petco purchase). They were very shy and elusive at that number. If I ever did corys (or close to corys like the emeralds) again, it would be a bunch of them. You could do a dozen in a 20g, but I'd stick with very low bio load tank mates

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Corys by the bunch are awesome to watch... the more the merrier.

In a 20L I wouldn't hesitate to do 10 or so Pygmy or Habrosus even with a decent number of other tank mates. Both are relatively cheap too. Without tankmates, you could likely double or triple the number without much of a problem, just have to monitor water parameters and not slack on PWCs.