Are Pygmy Corydoras Always So Timid

[bullgoose]

Hello,
 
 I have only snails shrimp and three ottos in with my little school of corys, thus there is nothing for them to fear. I like them but they are so dull, they spend 95% of their time sitting at the back under the filter. These 7 have been in a few months and are perfectly healthy.  Is this normal behaviour ?
 
Are there any factors that could be making them do this ?  
 
I guess if thats there normal habit so be it but i do wonder if there is anything i could change to get them out and about more.
 
wilf

 

[Lillefishy]

It's quite normal for them to be quiet in the day, they tend to come out more in the evenings & night. In the wild they live in quite dimly lit environment so don't like bright lights.

 

[AquaPit]

Mine's acting the same as you! Haizz..

 

[l_l_l]

Mine are pretty active.
The larger the school the better they do.
I have found out that they do much better when there is dither fish around.
My tank is stocked heavily, plants and fish.
I have celestial pearl danios, rummynose tetras, peacock gudgeons, amano shrimp and a pearl gourami.
I think they are most confortable when they see someone above, not being bullied.
Maybe if you add danios or cardinals to act as dither fish, you would see your pygmys more often..
 
I also suggest changing the aquascape a bit, that will force them to come out a bit and investigate the new playground. Make sure there are plenty of hidey places as well. The more they feel in security, the more they will come out!
 
One thing to mention, I run my tank at a very low 0.5W per gallon.
 
Hope that helps!

 

[Freedom]

I have 3 otos, they do as you describe, stay hidden under the filter all day, come out and night.  I know this because I fine the cuke and zuke strips munched a LOT in the morning.
 
I have a school of 10 corys in the larger tank - granted, these are not pygmy cories.  They are ALL OVER the place, very active.  But rarely alone, rather in groups of 3 or 4, here and there.
 
Does that help?
 
Oh, based on what someone else posted, maybe try  your lights on a moon setting for a few hours in the evening (or whenever you are around) and see if they are about more!

 

[SeanTrollope]

 i have 4 corys in a tank by themselfs and they to are very shy and very rarly come out althou they laid eggs 2 days ago.

 

[Byron]

This species, Corydoras pygmaeus, should be in larger numbers whenever possible.  The more there are, the less timid.  I would aim for 8+.  Other fish in the tank is also useful, as another member pointed out.  Sand substrate is also important especially for these tiny fish.
 
I have a group of six (initially 12 two years ago but lost a few along the way) in a planted 10g that I use to grow out Farlowella vitatta fry.  I have to sit quietly in front of the tank for a few minutes to get them out, but this fish does like to spend time resting on wood or plant leaves, less often the substrate.  To my delight, they have started to spawn regularly, and I just leave things alone and some of the fry find sufficient live food among the leaf litter and plants to grow.  I currently have three fry out and about with the adults now.  With no other fish in the tank, eggs and fry have a much better chance of survival.  The attached photo shows the three fry (now about a month or so in age); I also noticed new eggs yesterday.  In the photo, the three fry are mid-water with one of the females, another female is sitting on a leaf, and in the lower right corner you can see two of the newest Farlowella fry that hatched one week ago and were moved from the main tank into this rearing tank. On the lower plants, you can see one cory egg, the larger white circle; the clusters are snail eggs.
 
Byron.