Product Details

Mini Cory – Gastrodermus nanus

The Mini Cory is a small, peaceful cory-type catfish with a delicate body shape, active social behaviour and attractive subtle markings. Also sold as the Little Corydoras, Dwarf Cory, Nanus Cory or under the older name Corydoras nanus, this species is best suited to mature planted community aquariums with soft sand, gentle tank mates and clean, stable water. It is smaller and more delicate than many common corys, so it should be kept in a calm aquarium where it will not be outcompeted or intimidated.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Mini Cory
Other Names: Little Corydoras, Nanus Cory, Dwarf Cory, Corydoras nanus
Scientific Name: Gastrodermus nanus
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras nanus
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Gastrodermus nanus is a South American cory-type catfish recorded from northern river systems, including areas of Suriname and nearby Guiana-region waters. Available habitat records describe the species from shallow creeks with moderate current, sandy to sandy-muddy substrates and subdued lighting.

In the aquarium, Mini Corys should be provided with fine sand, shaded areas, plants, smooth décor and stable water quality. A natural-style setup with driftwood, leaf litter, open foraging areas and gentle to moderate water movement will suit them well.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Mini Corys have a slim, elegant cory-type body with short barbels around the mouth for searching through the substrate. Their colour is usually silver, beige, grey or lightly golden with darker markings along the body, often giving a neat, understated appearance compared with more heavily patterned cory species.

Adults usually reach around 4–5 cm. Mature females are generally fuller-bodied than males, especially when viewed from above, while males are usually slimmer and may become more active during breeding behaviour.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to mature planted aquariums, small peaceful community tanks and specialist cory displays. It should be kept on soft sand so it can forage naturally without damaging its delicate barbels.

Mini Corys are not algae eaters and should not be bought as a cleaning fish. They need proper sinking foods, calm tank mates and a mature aquarium with stable water quality. They are not ideal for rough communities, sharp gravel or newly set-up tanks.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a group, with a tank length of at least 60 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are better for bigger groups and mixed peaceful communities.

Keep in a group of at least 6, with 8 or more preferred where space allows. A proper group improves confidence, reduces stress and encourages more natural foraging and social behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–26°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Clean, stable and well-oxygenated water is important. Fine sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural feeding behaviour. Avoid sharp gravel, dirty substrates, poor oxygenation and unstable new aquariums.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Mini Corys are peaceful, social bottom-dwellers. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, small peaceful livebearers in suitable water, dwarf cichlids, Otocinclus, small gourami and other calm community species.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping fish, boisterous barbs and highly competitive bottom feeders. Very large or fast-feeding tank mates may intimidate them or prevent them from getting enough food. They should not be kept singly or in pairs.

Feeding:

Mini Corys are omnivorous micro-foragers. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, small sinking granules, fine wafers and soft micro foods as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as daphnia, cyclops, baby brineshrimp, finely chopped bloodworm and tubifex.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to survive on leftovers alone. In busy aquariums, feed small sinking foods after the main lights dim to make sure the group receives enough food.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time on or near the lower levels of the aquarium, foraging across sand and resting in small groups around plants, wood or shaded areas. Like several smaller Gastrodermus species, it may also spend time slightly above the bottom and move more freely through the lower water column than heavier-bodied corys.

Mini Corys may occasionally dart to the surface to take a gulp of air. This is normal for cory-type catfish, but frequent frantic surface visits can indicate poor oxygenation or water quality issues.

Care Notes:

Add Mini Corys only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide soft sand, clean water, gentle tank mates and proper sinking foods.

This species can be sensitive to poor substrate conditions and should not be kept on sharp gravel. Keep them in a proper group and avoid rough communities where they may become shy or fail to feed well. Regular water changes, good oxygenation and low stress are important for long-term success.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Rare to occasional / Usually specialist import, with captive-bred availability limited

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern, body tone and markings can occur between individual fish.