Emerald green cory (emerald catfish)

The emerald green cory, long known as Brochis splendens and now placed in Corydoras, is a robust, deep-bodied catfish from the western Amazon of Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. It is larger and stockier than typical corys, reaching around eight centimetres, with a brilliant metallic green flank sheen and extra dorsal-fin rays. Because of its size and active foraging it needs more space and a longer footprint than smaller species, ideally a group of six or more in a well-oxygenated tank over soft sand. It is peaceful and sociable, mixing well with larger tetras, rasboras, gouramis and peaceful cichlids. Maintain 22-26 C, near-neutral pH and soft to moderately hard water. It is a hardy, undemanding omnivore that relishes sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, Daphnia and vegetable matter. Occasionally it gulps air from the surface, which is normal.