Emerald Corydoras
Brochis splendens
Min Tank Size
113L
Adult Size
8 cm
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
6+
About
Native to the Amazon and Ucayali river basins in South America, Brochis splendens is the fish that makes you do a double-take at the bottom of a tank. That iridescent green sheen, somewhere between metallic and jewel-like depending on the light, sets them apart from the more common corydoras species almost immediately. They're also notably chunkier and longer, topping out around 8cm, which gives them a presence that smaller cories simply don't have.
Despite the reclassification drama, most hobbyists and retailers still call them Emerald Brochis or Emerald Corydoras, and honestly the care is close enough to their cory cousins that the taxonomy debate doesn't affect your tank setup. They do best in soft to moderately hard water with a neutral to slightly acidic pH, though they're forgiving enough for most established community tanks. Temperature anywhere from 22 to 28 degrees works, with the middle of that range being the sweet spot.
Fine substrate matters here. Sand is ideal because these fish constantly sift through the bottom, and sharp gravel can damage their sensitive barbels over time. They'll eat sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, tubifex, and quality bottom-feeder wafers without much fuss. Keep the tank dimly lit or heavily planted and they'll be far more active and visible during the day.
They're completely peaceful and almost comedically sociable when kept in proper groups. A school of six or more moving together in that characteristically bobbing, group-foraging pattern is genuinely one of the more satisfying things to watch in a community tank. Browse real tank builds featuring these fish and you'll quickly see why they're a staple in any serious planted South American setup.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Emerald Corydoras together
Emerald Corydoras are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 6. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
These fish fit into almost any peaceful community setup. They pair particularly well with mid-water South American species like tetras, hatchetfish, and dwarf cichlids such as apistogramma, which share similar water parameter preferences. Avoid keeping them with large cichlids or aggressive bottom dwellers like pictus catfish, which may outcompete or harass them. They can coexist with adult mystery snails and nerite snails without issue. Dwarf shrimp like neocaridina are at some risk during feeding time since these corydoras are enthusiastic foragers, so shrimp survival is easier in heavily planted tanks with lots of cover.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is keeping too few. Two or three emerald corydoras will hide constantly and never show their best behavior. The second mistake is gravel substrate. Sharp gravel erodes barbels within weeks, and once those barbels are damaged the fish can't feed properly and infections follow. Sand is non-negotiable for long-term health. Water quality is also critical at the bottom of the tank where detritus accumulates, so regular vacuuming and good filtration flow across the substrate makes a noticeable difference in their activity and longevity.
Behavior & Aggression
Emerald corydoras show no meaningful aggression toward any tankmates. They don't fin nip, they don't defend territory, and they ignore other species almost entirely. The only social tension worth mentioning is internal: a group kept too small will produce skittish, stressed fish that spend most of their time hiding. Six is the minimum for confident, active behavior. Dominant individuals may occasionally chase conspecifics during feeding, but this is brief and causes no real harm. No triggers from feeding competition or overcrowding produce anything resembling true aggression.
Things to Know
- Reaches 8cm, noticeably larger than common corydoras species
- Needs a group of 6+, fewer causes stress and hiding
- Sharp fin spines can snag nets and even puncture skin when handling
- Requires a soft sand substrate to protect sensitive barbels.
Community Sightings
No builds featuring this species yet.
Be the first to feature Emerald Corydoras in your build →Discover Tanks
Explore more builds from the community.
Explore More Species
More species to discover.
