PlanetCatfish.com - Brochis splendens (Callichthyidae) Cat-eLog

Juvenile
Taken immediately after wild capture
Barbels loss due to poor care
Two week old fry
Four weeks old
Nine week old juvenile
Video: juveniles
Juvenile
Juvenile
Adults with eggs
Video - spawning
Egg
Eggs on spawning mop
Eggs
Fry

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Brochis splendens** (Castelnau, 1855)
Common Names	Emerald Catfish Brochis-Panzerwels (Germany), Common Brochis, Emerald Brochis, Green Catfish, Smaragdpansermalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Rio Tocantins, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Brochis coeruleus, Brochis dipterus, Callichthys splendens, Callichthys taiosh, Chaenothorax bicarinatus, Chaenothorax eigenmanni, Corydoras semiscutatus, Corydoras splendens
Pronunciation	bro kiss - SPLEN denz
Etymology	This specific epithet means "to shine" (splendes=shine).
Articles	- CotM 2004 January - Shane's World Reproduction Breeding Brochis splendens
Species Information
Size	99mm or 3.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	B. splendens has fewer rays (10 - 12) in its dorsal fin than the other two species of Brochis
Sexing	Mature females are larger and more fuller. Sexing immature fish is very inaccurate.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Ecuador, Peru, Brazil Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	5.8 - 8.0
Temperature	22.0-28.0°C or 71.6-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Will adapt to most conditions providing the water is of reasonable quality. Is happier than most fish in low-oxygen conditions. Larger fish prefer deeper water, but this species is less unsettled by life in shallower water.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	A fish that likes to dig around for food, but will eat all prepared foods that find their way to the substrate. Live bloodworms or tubifex are especially relished - be careful with the tubifex. It can be difficult to feed carefully and if it starts living in the tank water conditions can quickly deteriorate. This can, at least in part, be controlled by offering tubifex in a shallow ceramic bowl. User data.
Furniture	Open spaces of substrate, and rock or wood refuges, slightly elevated to provide the shade these fish like to rest under, in rare moments of inactivity.
Compatibility	An ideal community tank resident, keep in shoals.
Suggested Tankmates	Can be kept with most fish. More suitable for keeping with loaches than Corydoras as their larger size helps them compete better for food. Boisterous enough to be kept in more dynamic aquaria. Perfect for an Amazon River biotope.
Breeding	See catfish of the month link below.
Breeding Reports	There are 10 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Exped. Amer. Sud.v. 2 - pp39 - Pl. 18 (fig. 3)
Registered Keepers	There are 259 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 7 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 77 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up B. splendens on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up B. splendens on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.1.1582.114
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 21 00:00)