Will amano shrimp eat pygmy corydoras food?

Yes, amanos will snag food meant for pygmies if it sinks fast enough. Feed at lights-out when shrimp emerge and pygmies are less active, or use sinking pellets that hit bottom before amanos can intercept them.

How many of each species should I keep together?

Get at least 6 amano shrimp and at least 8 pygmy corydoras. Pygmies below 8 tend to hide constantly, while amanos need a group to feel confident enough to come out in the open.

Do pygmy cories bother amano shrimp?

No. Pygmies are peaceful bottom dwellers that ignore shrimp completely. They are too small and passive to pose any threat to 2-inch amanos.

Can I keep amanos with pygmy cories in a 5-gallon tank?

No. Both species need at least 10 gallons. Amanos work best in 20 gallons or larger where algae growth supports their diet.

Can Amano Shrimp Live With Pygmy Corydoras?

By Alex WalshLast reviewed Apr 18, 2026

Yes

Yes, amano shrimp and pygmy corydoras coexist well in a 10-gallon tank, with both species keeping to the bottom and avoiding each other.

Why

Amano shrimp grow to 2 inches and spend their time on the bottom foraging for algae, while pygmy corydoras at 1 inch hover just above them in the water column.
Temperature overlap sits at 72-79F, with amanos preferring 74F and pygmies preferring 75F.
pH ranges overlap cleanly from 6.5-7.4, covering both species' ideal conditions.
Neither species shows aggression toward the other. Both are peaceful tankmates that focus on their own business.
The minimum 10-gallon tank provides enough floor space for a group of amanos and a school of pygmies without crowding.

Minimum shared tank

10 gallons

Shared temperature range

72-79°F