Emerald catfish

Emerald catfish

The emerald catfish ( Brochis splendens) (Latin: splendens = glossy) is one of the largest freshwater aquarium fish of the genus Brochis. He is 7 to 8 inches long and can be 10 to 15 years old.

• 2.1 occurrence
• 2.2 Reproduction
• 2.3 nutrition

• 3.1 breeding
• 3.2 feed

Features

The emerald catfish is distinctive due to its size, bulk and the olive to golden shine. Like all Brochis types he is a Darmatmer who swims on a regular basis to the water surface to take there with their mouths atmospheric air. An apparent even for laymen anatomical distinguishing feature between the genera Brochis and Corydoras is the significantly higher number of dorsal fin rays at Brochis.

Fins formula

• Dorsal 1/11-12
• Anal 2/5
• Pectoral 1/8-9
• Ventral fifth

Ecology

Occurrence

The emerald catfish lives in rivers and streams which white water and soft, muddy ground have, of tropical South America. In Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru, where the Amazon, Rio Ucayali system, Ambiyacu, Rio Tocantins, Rio Paraguay, Rio Nanay and Rio Napo system. The waters in which the Emerald catfish occurs, have the following water parameters:

• A GH- value of 2 to 25 ° dH
• A KH value of 2 ° to 15 °
• And a temperature of 22 to 28 ° C.

Reproduction

In the wild, the armored catfish perform after the rainy season when the water has warmed up again, their species-typical mating behavior, after the rainy season, a lot of suspended solids and thus prey animals in the water. The animals make a special mating behavior in which the male circles the female and strong twitches. The female is looking for spawning well suitable sites protected stones and leaves to it then staple the approximately 500 to 800 eggs, which are 1.5 millimeters in size, which then fertilize the males.

Nutrition

The emerald catfish is omnivorous ( omnivorous ) and feeds by searching on the ground and close to the ground by algae, detritus, small animals and plant parts.

Hunting and

The animals are schooling fish and should be kept in aquarium maintenance in groups of at least five animals. The emerald catfish is very peaceful and can be easily socialized with smaller fish or shrimp. Important a soft, not sharp-edged gravel is (sand is ideal ), since the animals may otherwise violate the barbels. It can be kept in tanks from 112 liters.

Breeding

It is a medium easily propagated Art The spawning is initiated by simulating a rainy season (strong, sudden partial water change ), but this is in comparison with Corydoras species difficult. For successful breeding you need a female specimen and three male. A female lays one after about 500 to 800 eggs, which are 1.5 millimeters in size and are glued to large leaves, stones, or simply to the aquarium glass. The females are characterized by their bulk and size against the smaller, leaner males. The eggs should be separated from the mature animals after a short time. At 24 ° C, the larvae take about four days to hatch. The larvae are very small and almost transparent. Two to three days after hatching, when the yolk sac is depleted, the larvae with Artemia nauplii can be fed. Later finest flake food from algae and compound feed can be given.

Feed

The aquarium also the following food is: live food ( brine shrimp, bloodworms, Grindalwürmer ), frozen food ( Cyclops ) and dry food ( pellets, flake food ). He is always looking at the ground for food and ransacked him with his barbels.