Emerald Corydoras
Corydoras splendens
Also known as: Emerald cory, Green cory, Emerald brochis
Quick Facts
- Adult size: 7-9 cm (2.75-3.5 inches)
- Minimum tank size: 110 litres (29 gallons)
- Lifespan: 8–12 years
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: bottom
- Diet: omnivore
- Minimum group size: 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 22–26°C
- pH: 6–7.5
- Hardness (GH): 36–214 ppm (2–12 dGH)
Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.
Care Summary
A larger, more substantial cousin of the common corydoras, long known as the emerald or green 'brochis' for the brilliant metallic blue-green sheen that washes across its deep, rounded body in good light. It needs the classic corydoras essentials, a group of six or more, a soft substrate, and clean water, but carries more presence than the little cories, reaching around 8cm and cruising the bottom with a stately busyness. Peaceful, hardy, and remarkably long-lived, often passing ten years, it is an excellent substrate-cleaning schooler for a medium or large community, and a handsome step up for keepers who like corydoras but want something with a bit more size and shimmer.
Tankmates
A larger, deeper-bodied corydoras that needs everything its smaller relatives do, just on a bigger scale: a group of at least six, a soft sand or smooth fine-gravel substrate to protect its barbels, and clean, well-oxygenated water. Peaceful and too gentle to threaten any fish, it is safe with the smallest community species and with adult shrimp, though it may eat eggs and the tiniest shrimplets. Its size makes it more robust than the little cories, so it suits a medium-to-large peaceful community. Avoid only large, aggressive, or fin-nipping tankmates.
Compatible with
- Bronze Corydoras
- Peppered Corydoras
- Harlequin Rasbora
- Neon Tetra
- Congo Tetra
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Honey Gourami
- Cherry Shrimp
Avoid keeping with
- Large Cichlids
- Oscar
- Convict Cichlid
- Fin Nippers
- Aggressive Tankmates
Common Problems
- damaged barbels from sharp substrate
- stress in groups smaller than 6
- ich
- overfeeding and poor water quality on a heavy bioload
Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20