What fish can live with Emerald catfish (Brochis)?

Use the "Often compatible" lists as a shortlist, not a stocking plan. Always run the pair tool and check the footprint of your actual tank first. Verify behaviour for Emerald catfish (Brochis) against your own reading before you buy.

What tank mates should you avoid with Emerald catfish (Brochis)?

Avoid Oscar, African Cichlid, Tinfoil barb based on size, temperament, or predation risk on file.

What size tank do Emerald catfish (Brochis) need for a community?

120L is the planning floor for adult swimming space and bioload headroom. Long-term, a 146L+ tank lets adults use the full footprint without crowding the next species. Footprint, meaning length and front-to-back depth, matters as much as raw volume for active or territorial species.

Emerald catfish (Brochis) tank mates

A chunky emerald-green bottom fish at 7 cm that thrives in schools on sand. Similar to corydoras in care but larger and slightly more robust.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.

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Best tank mates (on file)

Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.

Boesemani Rainbowfish Pair check
The Emerald catfish (Brochis) profile lists Boesemani Rainbowfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Boesemani Rainbowfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Water parameters barely overlap between the two, so check the temperature and pH ranges on both profiles before stocking. Boesemani Rainbowfish swims in the middle zone while Emerald catfish (Brochis) stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Corydoras Catfish Pair check
The Emerald catfish (Brochis) profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Dwarf Gourami Pair check
The Emerald catfish (Brochis) profile lists Dwarf Gourami as a recommended pairing. Dwarf Gourami swims in the top zone while Emerald catfish (Brochis) stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Ember Tetra Pair check
The Emerald catfish (Brochis) profile lists Ember Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Ember Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Ember Tetra swims in the middle zone while Emerald catfish (Brochis) stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.
Neon Tetra Pair check
The Emerald catfish (Brochis) profile lists Neon Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Neon Tetra schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Neon Tetra swims in the middle zone while Emerald catfish (Brochis) stays in the bottom, so the two will not crowd the same water column.

Risky or situational

From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.

Angelfish Open pair check
Angelfish reaches 20cm and is flagged predatory or as likely to eat small fish. Adult-size Emerald catfish (Brochis) at 7cm is inside that gape range. Angelfish is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Emerald catfish (Brochis). Run the pair checker before stocking.
German Blue Ram Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Guppy Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Jack Dempsey Open pair check
Jack Dempsey reaches 25cm and is flagged predatory or as likely to eat small fish. Adult-size Emerald catfish (Brochis) at 7cm is inside that gape range. Jack Dempsey is rated aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Emerald catfish (Brochis). Run the pair checker before stocking.
Pea Puffer Open pair check
Pea Puffer is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Pea Puffer is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Emerald catfish (Brochis). Run the pair checker before stocking.

Fish to avoid with Emerald catfish (Brochis)

From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.

Oscar See why (pair)
Oscar reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Emerald catfish (Brochis) at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Oscar needs at least 300L, far above the 120L minimum for Emerald catfish (Brochis). The tank that houses one stresses the other. Oscar is rated aggressive and Emerald catfish (Brochis) is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
African Cichlid See why (pair)
African Cichlid reaches 15cm and is flagged predatory. Emerald catfish (Brochis) at 7cm is prey-sized for it. African Cichlid is rated aggressive and Emerald catfish (Brochis) is rated peaceful. No community-style planning carries that gap.
Tinfoil barb See why (pair)
Tinfoil barb reaches 35cm and is flagged predatory. Emerald catfish (Brochis) at 7cm is prey-sized for it. Tinfoil barb needs at least 500L, far above the 120L minimum for Emerald catfish (Brochis). The tank that houses one stresses the other.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Emerald catfish (Brochis): 120L — group minimum 5 (schooling).
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 120L hub.

Plan before you buy

Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.

Open compatibility checker Tank builder

Filtration & heating

A 120L minimum tank for Emerald catfish (Brochis) needs a filter rated for at least 480L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–28°C.

Filter buying guide →Heater buying guide →Beginner plants guide →