These Are Really Tiny Fish

[lljdma06]

Look at the tiny fishy (C. habrosus)

They make the gravel look big, and this is 1-3mm grain gravel.

A charming fish, very, very active. Thank goodness they adore Hikari micro pellets, otherwise, I'd have to crush something for them. I still do to give them variety and I eventually want to culture some things for them, but the micro pellets are a start. They, at least eat it with abandon.

The C. pygmaeus are even smaller. If that's possible.

The rock isn't that big. Like 1.5" diameter max. That is one teeny corydora.

I didn't want to post photos here until I had them for a spell. I initially ordered them from one site, but I lost most of the stock, bad website, very not nice and unhelpful. Then I managed to find some at a Miami Fish store of all places (A small LFS that does some online work), and they had both species. I'm not going to say no, especially when they were less than $2 each. The habrosus were $1.75 and the pygmeaus broke the bank at a whole dollar. That' a quarter gallon of gas down here!!

They are in a planted tank.

 

[Cory_Dad]

Nice pictures lljdma06, thank you for sharing them.

The markings on the C. habrosus are stunning and it's interesting to see the C. pygmaeus just sitting on the bottom and not cruising around mid tank level. You got a good deal buying them as well.

Have you tried feeding them frozen brine shrimp? I know there are some larger pieces in the mix but they might just be able to handle them. I'm surprised you have to crush the pellets. Even for my juveniles I just dump in a sinking wafer and they just crowd around it and start nibbling away. That way the food stays in one spot rather than being moved all over the place by the current.

Cheers.

 

[windy 1958]

if you think their small wait till you see the size of their young
ive breed pygmys a few times the young are about 2mms long when just hatched

 

[jollysue]

That's great, lljdma! I'm glad you found them.

They are the cutest. I am sure they are lovely in your planed tank.

 

[lljdma06]

Cory_dad, Oh, the pygmaeus cruise, the camera just caught them in a moment of repose. During feeding time, the tank is a mass of little swimming bodies. It is also a very shallow tank, so the catfish don't have to work hard in order to reach the surface to do what it is they do. I'm no catfish expert, something about oxygen and supplementary breathing. All I know, is that all my catfish thrive in shallow tanks and don't do so well in tanks more than 15" deep. I remember way back when I was raising Kribensis, I used to hatch out and feed Baby brine shrimp. The adult kribs would munch on them too, and I was thinking this might be a good, inexpensive option for now. Might work for my Boraras species as well. Do you think they'd take the to BBS? I'd also like to culture a worm species, but have to convince the rest of the family that "no, pile of wriggling worms not bad, good." Not an easy task, my family is rather squeamish.

if you think their small wait till you see the size of their young
ive breed pygmys a few times the young are about 2mms long when just hatched

I can't imagine things so tiny. I thought betta fry were small and I've seen sparkling fry before, they are tiny. I've never seen pygmaeus fry, though. If I breed, I may start wih the habrosus first, as they're a bit bigger. Besides, they are a fantastic bottom corydora, and I plan to use them as the clean up crew in the boraras breeding tanks, as they're kind of harmless.

That's great, lljdma! I'm glad you found them.
They are the cutest. I am sure they are lovely in your planed tank.

It took me awhile, didn't it? I've been wanting these fish for a long time.

Thanks for looking.

llj

 

[tangokitty]

They certianly look tiny and cute!

 

[Cory_Dad]

I used to hatch out and feed Baby brine shrimp. The adult kribs would munch on them too, and I was thinking this might be a good, inexpensive option for now. Might work for my Boraras species as well. Do you think they'd take the to BBS?

I can't say for sure about yours but I know all of mine just love shrimp. I think it's good to vary the food you give them. A mix of flakes, pellets and frozen food (not all at the same time) is what you should aim for, for optimum health.

Good luck with them.

 

[jollysue]

Look into the problem with shells. I was looking into BBS feeding options for fry and saw some sort of warning a few times about decasulated brine shrimp shells being a problem--something like that So anyway look into it with the tiny guys first.

I have been feeding jarred bbs and all the small fish love it when it drifts out of the nets. I followed Frank Falcone's advice and got some dryed BBS. I have not tried it yet as I have a jar opened of the ones that have to be refridgerated. I want to finish that first.

 

[OldMan47]

I hate to say this lljdma06, but I think there is something wrong with your habrosus. First you show us pictures of them sitting quietly on the bottom of the tank, then you talk about using them for bottom cleaning. I have never seen my habrosus on the bottom of the tank more than a few seconds at a time except the first day or two when they were trying to get used to the new surroundings. They are everywhere in the tank and it's not unusual to see them swimming with my endlers and keeping up with them. The only thing I have found in the way of food that they don't seem to like much is flake food that floats on the surface of the tank. Anything in the water, including frozen brine shrimp are taken with relish. They readily take the growth foods that I feed my endler fry as well as frozen daphnia, spirulina and algae wafers. They are also one of the ones who did well on a gel type vacation feeder that I used while gone for two weeks.

 

[lljdma06]

I hate to say this lljdma06, but I think there is something wrong with your habrosus. First you show us pictures of them sitting quietly on the bottom of the tank, then you talk about using them for bottom cleaning. I have never seen my habrosus on the bottom of the tank more than a few seconds at a time except the first day or two when they were trying to get used to the new surroundings. They are everywhere in the tank and it's not unusual to see them swimming with my endlers and keeping up with them. The only thing I have found in the way of food that they don't seem to like much is flake food that floats on the surface of the tank. Anything in the water, including frozen brine shrimp are taken with relish. They readily take the growth foods that I feed my endler fry as well as frozen daphnia, spirulina and algae wafers. They are also one of the ones who did well on a gel type vacation feeder that I used while gone for two weeks.

I don't know, in several sources, including Baensch, scotcat, and others, say that C. habrosus is more of a typical corydora in behavior, which includes resting at the bottom and scouring the lower tank levels for food. On the other hand, C. pygmaeus is known as more of a mid-water level dweller. They tend to hover in the mid levels and prefer to rest on my plant leaves. So far, the behavior of both in my aquarium has been consistant with the literature. Needless to say, it is a small tank, and they are pretty much everywhere, since it is very shallow. But the two fish do have distinct habits. Have you tried to photograph a moving corydora? Not an easy task. The photo opportunity was taken at a moment of rest. It is easier.

I also think you misunderstand me, the intent for these fish are to not feed them with leftovers from other fish. I do not feed my fish that way. They are, however, very peaceful and well-suited for fry tanks. I also do not feed flake food. They are being conditioned for breeding and are being started on live foods. It is the versitility that you mention regarding foods that makes them do well in fry tanks. They will readily eat what the fry consume in addition to their own meals.

I appreciate your concern, however, and assure you, my habrosus are fine.

llj

 

[Miss Wiggle]

corse you llj...... i had just about decided to get panda's....... now pgymaeus have slid back into the frame

 

[lljdma06]

corse you llj...... i had just about decided to get panda's....... now pgymaeus have slid back into the frame

They're available cheap where I got them too. Paid $1 a piece.

 

[Esfa]

corse you llj...... i had just about decided to get panda's....... now pgymaeus have slid back into the frame

They're available cheap where I got them too. Paid $1 a piece.

lol.. saw some for sale... $9 each

 

[Miss Wiggle]

corse you llj...... i had just about decided to get panda's....... now pgymaeus have slid back into the frame

They're available cheap where I got them too. Paid $1 a piece.

lol, reckon they'll ship to the uk for that price!! lol

 

[Esfa]

lol, reckon they'll ship to the uk for that price!! lol

Keep dreaming!