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Emerald Green Cory

Iridescent Plated Catfish ~ Armored Catfish Family: Callichthyidae

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Brochis splendens

   The Emerald Green Cory has a most intriguing coloration. Depending on the light, it can appear a metallic blue or an emerald green!

   Species of the genus Brochis strongly resemble the Corydorus, but they are larger and have more rays in the dorsal fin. The Emerald Green Cory or Iridescent Plated Catfish will generally grow to about 3 inches (8.4 cm), though it can reach up to 4 inches (11.2 cm). Despite its size, this catfish is very peaceful, and recommended for a community aquarium.

   There are three species in the genus Brochis with the Emerald Green Cory or Iridescent Plated Catfish, Brochis splendens, being the most commonly available. All three are from South America and have virtually the same maintenance and feeding requirements.

   All of the genus Brochis are semi-active, with most of their activity consisting of scouting the bottom of the aquarium for food!

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The Emerald Green Cory or Iridescent Plated Catfish are found in the upper Amazon near Iquitos, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador..

Size - Weight:
   These fish can get up to 4 inches (11.2 cm).

Social Behaviors:
   They are a good, peaceful community fish. The Emerald Green Cory or Iridescent Plated Catfish swim in schools and can be kept with almost every other community type fish. Because they are very sociable, they are actually happiest in colonies of 10 or more.

Sexual Differences:
   Sexing is difficult, and breeding is best accomplished by natural pairing.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish will swim on the bottom of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: 2-30° dGH
   Ph: 5.8 to 8.0
   Temperature: 26-28° C

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Although difficult it can be done. See the section on Corys in Breeding Freshwater Fish.

Availability:
   The Emerald Green Cory is readily available.

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Latest Comments
I have three of these in a 25 gallon and they are certainly a joy to watch. They forage for food nearly all day long, as well as swimming heartily back and forth. The two smaller ones are not shy at all and could care less if I'm watching or cleaning the tank, as they will even feed near my hand, and unlike the third cory, they love to swim in the front of the tank. The larger one is a little more timid, though. It's fun to watch them during feeding time... all three of them sharing a wafer. I also have a pleco in the tank, and while he loves his zucchini very much, the cories don't care much for it. kat 2009-01-18
I bought 2 albino corys & 1 emerald green cory together at petco for they could get along & not be alone. Then a few months passed and there were like more than 100 eggs. A few days later I left for a few days, when I came home I saw 2 baby albino corys. justin martin 2008-08-18
i bought 2 emerald corys and i love them. they get along well with my baby muskies (dont worry i wont let them eat my corys). if u r reading this go buy a cory or 2. minimeeminim 2008-06-30
I have two in a five gallon tank, and they are the best fish I ever had! Andrew 2007-12-06
We had one Emerald Cory in our 55 gallon Turtle Tank. Then we got a second. They always swim together and do a really good job of cleaning up after the turtles. This weekend, I was cleaning out the aquarium, doing a water change and I found 3 baby emerald Corys in the tank. I have no clue when this happened but it sure was a great surprise. Hopefully these little ones will make it and gow up. This was completely unexpected. David Bonson 2005-10-03
Some of the coolest comments:
My mother has two albino cories and I believe she still has her emerald still. They are a very hardy fish that have all grown up in a 10-gallon tank for a little over 5 YEARS now. I recommend this fish for any tank - Beginner and Seasoned - as this fish is a joy to watch and an excellent tank cleaner. I have yet to purchase my own cories as soon as my new 29-gallon tank is better established. Anna Hobbs 2004-04-05
I have two albino corys, one Julli cory and two emerald corys. They are in a 55 gallon with one pangasius cat, a pearl flowerhorn, a pleco, a banjo cat, and a spotted green puffer. Everyone gets along very well. The corys love to school together and you can tell the albinos are a pair - they are always together. I keep my temp for all of these fish at 78 degrees and feed a very large variety of food. The corys love bloodworms and beefheart! They have grown a lot since I first got them and I add 1 tablespoon of salt per every 5 gallons of water in my tank with no problems to these fish. Everyone in this tank is extremelly healthy and I have not had problems with any of them. Good luck to everyone! Briana 2003-12-19

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Author: David Brough. CFS.