Family: Callichthyidae
Distribution: Brochis splendens, better known as the Emerald Catfish, is a species distributed mostly in sluggish, densely vegetated, muddy waters, in particular South America’s Amazon River basin. It has origins in the Rio Tocatins, the Iquitos region, and Rio Napo.
PH: 5.5 – 8.0
Temperature: 22°C – 28°C (72 – 82F)
Hardness: 2 – 30 dH
Description: Brochis splendenswill reach a maximum of 6 cm in length and can be expected to live for around five years. This species is often confused for a Corydora, and some scientists believe they are in fact related. This species has a bronze-green colouration; males are shorter and slimmer than females. Its head and body can actually vary in colouration from a dull brown-grey to a metallic blue-green colour; it may display a light yellow to pink colour on the lower half of the ventrolateral body scutes. Some Emerald Catfish may show dark grey spots on their dorsal fin rays, but this is rare.
Diet: The Emerald Catfish should be fed a Corydora diet of flake food, tablet food and grindal worm. You may offer it whiteworm on a very occasional basis.
Breeding: Breeding Brochis splendens is a difficult process. It will require a lowered water level and many water changes – colder, soft acidic water – to induce spawning. A female can lay up to 300 eggs, which she will deposit in the upper areas of the tank and on plants. The youngsters will barely resemble the parents; they will have a brownish colouration with spots, and a large dorsal fin.
Comments: The Emerald Catfish is quite easy to care for and is suitable to many different tank conditions. You should cover your tank to reduce the difference in air and water temperature, as this fish breathes atmospheric air. This species may appreciate a densely planted tank.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: Brochis splendens is a very peaceful species that can live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gouramiand Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
Originally posted 2010-01-05 11:53:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Comments on this entry are closed.