Emerald Cory

About

The emerald brochis (Corydoras splendens) is one of the chunkier members of the armored catfish family, and that metallic green sheen along its flanks makes it easy to pick out in a tank. It comes from the Amazon basin, where it lives in slow, heavily vegetated, often murky shallows. Conditions that shaped one of its more interesting traits: like other corydoras, it can gulp atmospheric oxygen at the surface using a modified, highly vascularized intestine. You will see this in the aquarium, and it is perfectly normal behavior rather than a sign of trouble. Juveniles look quite different from adults, showing a mottled pattern and a noticeably tall dorsal fin, which is why young fish sometimes get sold under the name 'hi-fin cory.' The species also carries the historical baggage of a genus name change. It spent years as Brochis splendens before being folded into Corydoras, and the old name still shows up regularly in the hobby. In the aquarium it is peaceful and sociable, and keeping a group of six or more is genuinely important for their wellbeing rather than just a suggestion. They are forgiving of a wide range of conditions and make a solid choice for anyone new to keeping catfish, provided the tank has enough floor space for a proper group.