Animal-World > Aquarium Tropical Fish > Catfish > Emerald Green Cory

Emerald Green Cory

Iridescent Plated Catfish ~ Armored Catfish

Family: CallichthyidaeBrochis splendensPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Emerald Green Cory has a most intriguing coloration. Depending on the light, this fish 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

Habitat: Distribution / Background

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

• Scientific Name: Brochis splendens
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

The Emerald Green Cory is a beautiful and interesting fish that can be added to most any community aquarium. They will spend most of their time in the lower regions of your aquarium scavenging for uneaten food. This fish has an iridescent, emerald green body with pink highlights on the lower parts of the fish.

• Maximum Size: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

• Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivores, the Emerald Green Cory or Iridescent Plated Catfish will generally eat all kinds of live, fresh, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality sinking pellet or flake food everyday. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen) or blood worms as a treat.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes - This fish will happily clean up leftover food from the fish in higher parts of the tank, however if this is not in ample supply, this fish appreciates the offer of tablet food.
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

• Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

The natural habitat of this catfish contains plants, driftwood, and caves or rockwork.

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gal (57 L)
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 75.0 - 82.0° F (23.9 - 27.8° C)
• Range ph: 5.8-8.0
• Hardness Range: 2 - 30 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: Bottom

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.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful - This sociable fish is happiest in a group of at least six.
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive: (): Monitor
  • Aggressive: (): Monitor
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
  • Plants: Safe

Sex: Sexual differences

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

Breeding / Reproduction

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

• Ease of Propagation: Difficult

Availability

   The Emerald Green Cory is readily available.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.

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Lastest Comments on Emerald Green Cory View all 20 comments on Emerald Green Cory Add Your Comment

jaysee - 2012-01-23 The fish in the pics are not emerald corys, they are bronze corys. The difference is in the dorsal fin. Emerald corys have some 13 dorsal rays - the fin extends back to the adipose fin. Bronze corys have like 7 rays, and there is a clear gap between the dorsal and adipose fin....like in the pics. Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-24 I will look into it and I appreciate the info. David Brough - 2012-01-26 Thanks for the info, the picture has been changed. Reply

nm123 - 2012-01-17 Can I put these in a 30 gallon tank wide or will they end up dead? I did have an albino cory cat in the same tank and it died with in 6 months Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-17 You should be fine with this fella in a 30 gallon. They grow to about 4 inches. Is this the only fish you have in the tank though? Make sure you check tank conditions. Reply

Sss - 2011-11-20 Emerald green Corys are very easy to care for and very intelligent. They do well in tanks above 5 gallons, but you need to be careful about how tall the tank is. Corys can actually breathe air if their gills are wet, so they occasionally swim to the top. Because they spend so much time at the bottom that they can't really swim too far straight up, so the tank can't be taller than a little more than a foot and a half. I would recommend them for anyone who has a freshwater tank, though you should definitely get more than one. They get sicker when they are alone; take it from me. I've got 2 cool stories about corys. 1: I once had a cory jump out of the tank during a water change. That little fish used its fins to propel itself halfway across the room, no problem with being in the air at all! 2: I once had a male beta and 2 corys in a tank together. Male betas are really aggressive and usually attack other fish by putting up their frills (like a lion mane). My catfish had absolutely NO problem with this and just swam right by. I think that made the beta confused. Last thing: I once had two corys get sick, though their other tank-mate had no problem. They kept falling over on their sides and being unable to get up. When they swam, they were fine, but when they stopped, they just fell over. They could hardly breathe because their gills were pressed on the floor. They died in 3 days; no medicines helped. It was creepy. If anybody knows why, I'd like to know so I can fix it if it happens again. Reply

Catfishes24 - 2010-01-06 I have Emerald Cory fry! I had a pair of adults, the only fish in my tank, and yesterday I saw the tiny fry darting around the bottom of the tank! I am so excited! I have kept fish for about 6 years, and this is the first time that any have reproduced. Click For Replies (1) louis kootz - 2011-06-14 I'm happy for you. I would be excited to. Have great day. Reply

Ann mart - 2011-04-01 This is the cheapest catfish. Almost all my favorite fish comes from this book: TOPHERO SON OF SMILODON by Wayne Ni. Reply

Kieth - 2010-06-14 I need help my catfish has gotten really fat (not trying to sound mean) and he's lost his back tail fin and he seems to just lay around the tank and not really move also his breathing is slowed. Click For Replies (1) Ted - 2010-12-26 You should probably quarantine him in a separate tank until his condition improves. Reply

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