Brochis splendens

Brochis: from the Ancient Greek βρόχος (brochos), meaning ‘loop’, in allusion to what Cope described as a looped cord joining the barbels at the end of the upper jaw to the chin.

splendens: from the Latin splendens, meaning 'shining, glittering, gleaming, glistening, bright, brilliant'.

This species is one of the more widespread than other members of the genus and has been recorded throughout much of the Amazon basin in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

It is thought that certain populations may turn out to represent distinct species in the future, and this may involve revalidation of some of the synonyms above.

Type locality is given simply as 'Rio Tocantins, Brazil'.

This species tends to form aggregations in smaller tributaries and still bodies of water such as backwaters, oxbows and marginal lakes.

Minimum base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm48 ∗ 18 in or equivalent are recommended.

Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it is kept scrupulously clean.

Other décor is largely down to personal choice, but some cover should be provided to give the fish security.

Corydoras spp. are foraging omnivores and will accept most sinking dried foods, as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, etc.

Feeding a varied diet will ensure the fish are in optimum condition.

Under no circumstances should they be expected to survive on 'left-overs' from other inhabitants of the aquarium or relied on to 'clean' the aquarium.

Peaceful and gregarious. Should be maintained in a group of at least 6-8 individuals.

Adult females are noticeably rounder, higher-bodied, and grow slightly larger than males.

Eggs are laid close to the water surface and are easy to remove elsewhere for raising.

This species was long one of only three in the genus Brochis, alongside B. britskii and B. multiradiata, and is sometimes referred to as 'common brochis'. Juveniles have a mottled colour pattern and are sometimes traded as 'hi-fin cory' due to their enlarged dorsal-fin.

B. splendens can be told apart from B. britskii and B. multiradiata by possession of 10-12 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 15-18, normally 15, in B. britskii and usually 17-18 in B. multiradiata). Other corydoradine catfishes, including the species moved into Brochis in 2024, possess 6-8 dorsal-fin rays.

Brochis was synonymised with Corydoras by Britto (2003), because Corydoras could not be considered monophyletic while Brochis was kept separate, and studies by Shimabukuro-Dias et al. (2004) and Alexandrou et al. (2011) supported that view. Dias et al. (2024) then revised the subfamily Corydoradinae from morphological and genomic data, revalidated Brochis and moved many species previously placed in Corydoras into it.

The genus Brochis is included in the family Callichthyidae, of which members are often referred to collectively as 'armoured' or 'mailed' catfishes group due to the presence of bony plates in place of scales on the body. Their taxonomy can be confusing, and numerous undescribed species are also thought to exist. Fish of unconfirmed identification entering the aquarium hobby are therefore typically assigned a 'C' or 'CW' number for purposes of reference and organisation.

They are facultative air breathers and possess a modified, highly vascularised intestine which has evolved to facilitate uptake of atmospheric oxygen and aid survival in oxygen-deprived environments. In the aquarium you'll occasionally see them rising to the surface to take in gulps of air.