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Im interested in the schooling.shoaling habits(if any) of emerald catfish. They seem to be very similer to cories(Some lfs' even ID them as such), but Im wondering if they share the need for buddies. Also, what is the min. tank size you guys recommend?


TIA, Katie

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

Just like corys, they are shoaling catfish, not tight schoolers.

Their care requirements are the same as any large, active cory, and they need a minimum tank size of 25-30 gallons. Their max length is 2.8", but they are deeper bodied than corys and therefore put more of laod on the biological filtration.

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Thanks for the quick reply

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

Yeah, they're shoaling fish. They just hang out in loose groups where they can keep an eye on each other.

They are indeed similar to cories, as the Brochis (the genus containing the emerald cats, as well as B. britskii and B. multiradiatus) catfish and Corydoras catfish are in the same family, Callichthyidae. These fish are closely related, and can generally be cared for in the same manner.

Personally, I'd recommend at least a twenty long for these guys. Twenty-nine gallons is better, since they are fairly large when compared with some of their Corydoras cousins, but I feel that a shoal can be maintained in a twenty long with no troubles. As long as a fair amount (25% or more) of the water is changed at least weekly, it shouldn't pose any problems.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

A twenty long would have to be close, if not limited to, a species tank. Brochis are far more active than most reasonably sized 20 long houseable fishes.