Product Details

Emerald Brochis – Brochis splendens

The Emerald Brochis is a larger-growing cory-type catfish with a beautiful metallic green body, peaceful nature and active bottom-foraging behaviour. Correctly listed as Brochis splendens, this species is often still searched for under the older name Corydoras splendens. It is a hardy and attractive community catfish when kept in a mature aquarium with soft sand, clean water and a proper group of its own kind.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Emerald Brochis
Other Names: Emerald Catfish, Emerald Cory, Common Brochis, Green Cory, Corydoras splendens
Scientific Name: Brochis splendens
Older / Trade Name: Corydoras splendens
Fish Type: Cory-type Catfish / Callichthyid Catfish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

Brochis splendens is native to South America and is associated with slow-moving, shallow and heavily vegetated waters. In the wild, it inhabits sluggish muddy areas where it forages along the bottom for small invertebrates and other natural foods.

In the aquarium, Emerald Brochis should be kept in a mature setup with soft sand or very smooth fine substrate, plants, wood, shaded resting areas and open feeding patches. Although generally hardy, it still needs clean, oxygenated water and should not be kept over sharp or dirty gravel.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Emerald Brochis have a deeper body than many smaller Corydoras, with a metallic emerald-green, bronze-green or blue-green sheen across the flanks. The underside may appear pale, cream or pinkish, while the fins are usually clear to lightly tinted. The overall colour can change depending on lighting, mood, age and condition.

Adults usually reach around 7–9 cm, with some specimens approaching 10 cm. Females are often fuller-bodied than males, especially when mature.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is well suited to peaceful community aquariums, planted displays and larger cory-type groups. It is generally more robust than many delicate wild Corydoras, but its larger size means it needs more floor space than small species such as panda or pygmy corys.

Emerald Brochis are not suitable for sharp gravel, aggressive cichlid tanks, predator aquariums, tiny nano tanks, immature aquariums or setups where food never reaches the bottom. They should not be sold simply as scavengers and must receive proper sinking foods.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 90–120 litres for a small group, with a tank length of at least 75–90 cm recommended. Larger aquariums are preferred for bigger groups and mixed communities.

Keep in a group of at least 5, with 6 or more preferred where space allows. Group keeping improves confidence, feeding response and natural bottom-foraging behaviour.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 22–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.8
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Keep water clean, stable and well oxygenated. Avoid high nitrate, dirty compacted substrate, sharp gravel and sudden water-chemistry changes. Soft sand is strongly recommended to protect the barbels and allow natural foraging.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Community Fish

Emerald Brochis are peaceful bottom-dwelling community fish. Suitable tank mates include peaceful tetras, rasboras, rainbowfish, danios, livebearers in compatible water, dwarf cichlids with care, bristlenose plecs, Otocinclus and other calm community species.

Avoid large predators, aggressive cichlids, rough bottom dwellers, severe fin-nippers and very boisterous feeders that prevent food from reaching the substrate. They should not be kept singly or in pairs, as they are social fish and behave best in groups.

Feeding:

Emerald Brochis are omnivorous bottom feeders and need a varied sinking diet. Offer quality sinking catfish pellets, bottom-feeder tablets, soft granules and small wafers as the staple diet. Supplement with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, brineshrimp, tubifex, mosquito larvae and finely chopped earthworm.

They will search the substrate for food, but they must not be expected to live on leftovers. Make sure food reaches the bottom, especially when kept with fast midwater feeders.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This species spends much of its time foraging over sand, resting in shaded areas and moving in small groups along the bottom. Emerald Brochis can be more active and visible than some shy cory-type catfish, especially once settled in a proper group.

Like other callichthyid catfish, they may occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour. Breeding may occur in mature, well-conditioned groups, with eggs usually placed on glass, plants or décor.

Care Notes:

Add Emerald Brochis only to a mature, fully cycled aquarium. Provide soft sand, shaded cover, plants and regular water changes. Keep the substrate clean without allowing waste to build up, as poor substrate hygiene can lead to barbel and skin problems.

This species grows larger than many “cory” catfish, so customers should be advised that it needs a larger aquarium footprint and a proper group. Use both Brochis splendens and Corydoras splendens in search fields where useful, as both names remain common in the trade.

Recommended For:

Beginner to intermediate

Availability:

Common / Usually farmed or captive-bred

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, emerald sheen, body tone, fin colour, sex and markings can occur between individual fish.