Emerald Cory Catfish – Brochis Splendens
Emerald Cory Catfish – Brochis Splendens
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Quick Care
Essential care information at a glance
What Fish Will I Receive?
What Fish Will I Receive?
Photos represent the species and typical appearance of the fish you will receive. Because Corydoras are living animals, individual size, coloration, markings, and pattern may vary naturally from fish to fish.
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
Why You'll Love Panda Cory Catfish
✓ Peaceful community fish
✓ Active bottom-dwelling behavior
✓ Best enjoyed in social groups
✓ Excellent for planted aquariums
✓ Unique black-and-cream panda markings
✓ Compatible with many peaceful tropical fish
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Healthy, Active Corydoras
Every Corydoras offered by Tropicflow Aquatic is selected for healthy body condition, active behavior, clear eyes, intact barbels and fins, and normal swimming behavior before shipping.
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Best Substrate for Corydoras
Fine sand or another smooth, non-abrasive substrate is recommended. Corydoras spend much of their time searching through the substrate with their sensitive barbels.
Acclimation Directions
Acclimation Directions
1 — Open & Inspect
Check your fish immediately after delivery.
2 — Temperature Acclimation
Float the closed bag for approximately 15–20 minutes.
3 — Gradually Introduce Tank Water
Slowly add small amounts of aquarium water.
4 — Transfer the Fish
Gently move the Cory into the aquarium without pouring shipping water into the tank.
Keep aquarium lights low during the first several hours and allow the fish time to settle.
Water Parameters
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 68-77F
- pH: 6.0 - 7.5
- GH: 2-12 dGH
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: Keep Low
- Water Flow: Gental-moderate
- Oxygenation: Good
Stable water is more important than chasing an exact number. Avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH, or hardness.
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
Flat Rate Shipping As Low As $25
At Tropicflow, we strive to make the shipping process as affordable and convenient as possible for our customers. Our flat rate shipping starts as low as $25, and the more fish you purchase, the more you save on shipping fees. We encourage our customers to combine as many fish as possible in each order to take advantage of these cost-saving opportunities.
The Emerald Cory Catfish (Brochis splendens), commonly called the Emerald Brochis or Emerald Catfish, is a peaceful freshwater bottom-dwelling catfish known for its beautiful metallic green-to-emerald coloration, deeper body shape, and tall dorsal fin. Larger than many commonly kept Cory catfish, Emerald Corys are best maintained in groups of 6 or more in a spacious aquarium with soft substrate, clean water, and peaceful tank mates.
The Emerald Cory Catfish (Brochis splendens) is an impressive South American armored catfish prized for its shimmering green, emerald, bronze, and blue-green coloration. Under aquarium lighting, healthy adults can develop a beautiful metallic sheen that makes them stand out from many traditional Cory-type catfish.
Also known as the Emerald Brochis, Emerald Catfish, or Green Brochis, this species has a deeper and more robust body than many commonly kept Corys. Its relatively tall dorsal fin and larger adult size give Brochis splendens a distinctive appearance while retaining the peaceful, social bottom-dwelling behavior aquarists enjoy in Cory-type catfish.
Taxonomy note: The Emerald Cory is currently recognized as Brochis splendens. It has also been widely known in aquarium literature as Corydoras splendens. Both names may still appear when researching the fish, but Brochis splendens is the current accepted scientific name.
Emerald Cory Catfish Care Information
| Care Requirement | Emerald Cory Information |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Emerald Cory, Emerald Cory Catfish, Emerald Brochis |
| Scientific Name | Brochis splendens |
| Synonym | Corydoras splendens |
| Adult Size | Approximately 3–4 inches |
| Temperature | 68–82°F (20–28°C) |
| pH Range | 5.0–8.0 |
| Recommended Tank Size | 55–65+ Gallons for a Proper Group |
| Recommended Group Size | 6–8+ Recommended |
| Temperament | Peaceful & Social |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Tank Level | Bottom Dweller |
| Care Level | Beginner to Intermediate |
| Origin | Amazon River Basin, South America |
What Does an Emerald Cory Catfish Look Like?
The Emerald Cory Catfish is best known for its striking metallic coloration. Depending on aquarium lighting and viewing angle, the body can appear emerald green, turquoise-green, bronze, blue-green, or even slightly golden.
Compared with many smaller Cory catfish, Brochis splendens has a deeper, heavier body and a noticeably larger dorsal fin. Mature fish can develop an especially impressive metallic sheen across the armored plates covering the sides of the body.
Juveniles may appear more mottled and less intensely green than mature specimens. Their color and body shape become increasingly distinctive as they grow.
What Makes the Emerald Cory Different?
Although the Emerald Cory shares many behavioral traits with traditional Cory catfish, it is generally larger and more robust. Adult Emerald Brochis can reach approximately 3–4 inches, giving them a noticeably heavier appearance than smaller species such as Panda Corys or Pygmy Corys.
Another distinctive feature is the dorsal fin. Brochis splendens has more dorsal-fin rays than typical Corydoras species, creating a taller and broader dorsal profile.
Emerald Corys are larger than many commonly sold Cory catfish. When planning a group, prioritize horizontal bottom space and choose a larger aquarium that gives these active fish plenty of room to explore together.
Emerald Cory Behavior & Group Size
Emerald Cory Catfish are peaceful, social bottom-dwelling fish and should be kept with others of their kind. We recommend maintaining at least 6 Emerald Corys, with groups of 6–8 or more preferred when aquarium size and filtration allow.
In a proper group, Emerald Corys can often be seen exploring the substrate together, searching for food, resting near one another, and moving around the aquarium floor as a loose school.
Their larger size can make their group behavior especially noticeable in a spacious planted aquarium.
Like other Cory-type catfish, Emerald Corys may occasionally make a quick trip to the water surface to gulp atmospheric air before returning to the bottom. Occasional surface visits are a normal behavior for this group of fish.
Ideal Aquarium Setup for Emerald Cory Catfish
Because Emerald Corys grow larger than many traditional Cory species, a spacious aquarium with a large footprint is recommended. A tank around 55–65 gallons or larger provides a better environment for maintaining a proper group of adult Brochis splendens.
A soft sand substrate or smooth rounded fine gravel is recommended. Emerald Corys spend significant amounts of time searching along the aquarium floor, so the substrate should be smooth and kept clean.
Live plants, driftwood, smooth rocks, shaded areas, and leaf litter can create a comfortable natural-style environment. Leave plenty of open substrate so the group has room to forage and move together.
Emerald Cory Water Parameters
Emerald Cory Catfish can be maintained within a relatively broad temperature range of approximately 68–82°F (20–28°C) with a pH around 5.0–8.0.
Stable water quality is more important than constantly adjusting the aquarium to reach one exact number. Keep Emerald Corys in a fully cycled aquarium with good filtration, adequate oxygenation, and regular water changes.
Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero, and sudden changes in temperature or water chemistry should be avoided. Because these fish spend much of their time directly on the aquarium floor, keeping the substrate clean is also an important part of long-term care.
What Do Emerald Cory Catfish Eat?
Emerald Corys are omnivorous foragers and should receive a varied, nutritious diet. High-quality sinking pellets, tablets, or wafers can form the foundation of their aquarium diet.
Their diet can also be supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, Tubifex, and other suitable protein-rich foods.
Emerald Cory Tank Mates
The peaceful temperament of the Emerald Cory Catfish makes it suitable for many freshwater community aquariums. Tank mates should be non-aggressive and comfortable within similar temperature and water conditions.
Potential tank mates may include peaceful tetras, rasboras, larger peaceful livebearers, peaceful gouramis, compatible dwarf cichlids, other suitable Cory-type catfish, and other non-aggressive freshwater community species.
Because Emerald Corys become larger than many smaller Cory species, always consider the adult size and swimming space requirements of every fish when planning the aquarium.
Avoid large predatory fish or aggressive tank mates that may chase, injure, intimidate, or prevent the Emerald Corys from feeding comfortably.
Why Choose Emerald Cory Catfish?
- Beautiful metallic emerald-green coloration
- Larger, impressive body shape
- Distinctive tall dorsal fin
- Peaceful temperament for community aquariums
- Active and entertaining bottom-dwelling behavior
- Excellent choice for larger planted freshwater aquariums
- Social behavior when maintained in a proper group
- Unique alternative to smaller traditional Cory catfish
Before Buying Emerald Cory Catfish
Emerald Corys are social fish and should not be kept alone. Plan to keep 6 or more and remember that this species grows larger than many common Cory catfish. Provide a spacious, fully cycled aquarium with plenty of bottom area, soft substrate, peaceful tank mates, stable water conditions, and enough filtration for the adult group.
Emerald Cory Catfish FAQ
What is an Emerald Cory Catfish?
The Emerald Cory is a peaceful South American armored catfish scientifically known as Brochis splendens. It is recognized by its metallic green, emerald, bronze, or blue-green coloration, deeper body, and prominent dorsal fin.
How big do Emerald Cory Catfish get?
Emerald Cory Catfish can reach approximately 3–4 inches, making them larger and heavier-bodied than many popular Cory species. Females may become noticeably fuller-bodied than males.
How many Emerald Corys should be kept together?
Keep Emerald Corys in a group of at least 6 fish. Groups of 6–8 or more can display more natural and confident social behavior when aquarium size and filtration allow.
What tank size does an Emerald Cory need?
Emerald Corys grow larger than many traditional Cory catfish and should be given substantial bottom space. A spacious aquarium around 55–65 gallons or larger is recommended for a proper adult group, with tank footprint being especially important.
What temperature is best for Emerald Corys?
Emerald Cory Catfish can generally be maintained at approximately 68–82°F (20–28°C). Choose tank mates with compatible temperature and water requirements.
Are Emerald Cory Catfish peaceful?
Yes. Emerald Cory Catfish are peaceful, social fish that can work well in appropriately sized community aquariums containing other non-aggressive freshwater species.
Is Brochis splendens the same as Corydoras splendens?
Yes. The Emerald Cory has appeared in aquarium literature under both Brochis splendens and Corydoras splendens. Current taxonomy recognizes Brochis splendens as the accepted scientific name, while Corydoras splendens remains a synonym that aquarists may still encounter.
Is an Emerald Cory larger than a regular Cory Catfish?
Yes. Emerald Corys are generally larger and more robust than many commonly sold Cory species. Adults can approach 3–4 inches and have a deeper body and more prominent dorsal fin than smaller species such as Panda Corys.
What do Emerald Cory Catfish eat?
Emerald Corys are omnivorous foragers. Feed a varied diet that includes quality sinking pellets or tablets supplemented with appropriately sized frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and Tubifex.
Do Emerald Corys clean the aquarium?
Emerald Corys naturally forage along the aquarium floor for food, but they should not be considered a replacement for aquarium maintenance. They need their own nutritious diet along with regular water changes and substrate cleaning.
Emerald Cory Catfish at Tropicflow Aquatic
Add impressive size, peaceful activity, and shimmering color to your freshwater aquarium with the Emerald Cory Catfish. With their metallic emerald-green coloration, robust body shape, social personality, and active bottom-dwelling behavior, Brochis splendens are an outstanding choice for spacious planted tanks and peaceful freshwater community aquariums.
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