Britski's Brochis

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Colossal species isolated in southern Brazil and Paraguay (Rio Paraguay/Paraná system). Concentrates in swamps (Pantanal), deep slow-water channels, and lakes invaded by dense aquatic vegetation and soft, muddy, and shaded substrates.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Armored giant of the Callichthyidae family. Separated from the Corydoras genus due to the imposing dimensions (8.5 cm / 3.3 inches) and the massive number of soft rays (generally from 15 to 17) on the sail-like dorsal fin that decorates its very robust profile.

Social Behavior: Timid gregarious mud-digger by nature. Needs an imposing troop (minimum 6-8 members) to overcome exposure fears and show the tireless evening and diurnal choral dances. Isolating them leads to clinical wasting or perennial immobility.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The livery of these living tanks is sensational: a brilliant metallic copper/emerald bone armor that envelops the entire gigantic thorax. Mature females easily identifiable by a disproportionate and very dilated abdominal diameter.

Aquarium Setup: Demands very wide tanks with tons of rigorous and purest very fine sand (zero pointed obstacles or sharp gravel) to vent the mammoth rooting ambitions. Structure shady floating woods and smooth branched root caves to alleviate stress.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous-carnivorous machine of demanding size. To be maintained stably with consistent daily doses (preferably in the evening) of excellent sinking pellets combined with gluttonous tri-weekly waves of earthworms and shelled shrimp in pieces, as well as colossal bloodworms.

Water Quality: Classic temperatures around 22-26°C (72-79°F). Tolerant on average but never basic values: prefers pH between 6.0 and 7.2, and proves indulgent on salts (GH 2-15). The abuse of pollutants caused by large meals in unsuitable tanks will however decree deadly ulcerations on the barbels.

Compatibility and Tankmates: It will never hurt anyone, but has the size to compete in full-bodied tanks. Ideal together with medium/large but non-aggressive fish (Severum Cichlids, immense schools of Congo tetras). Woe to overlapping it with lethal territorial and large Plecostomus.

Aquarium Reproduction: Virtually undocumented if not accidentally. Occurs in huge schools during cyclical drastic water refreshments and live hyper-feeding. The T-fertilization triggers the deposition of innumerable adhesive spheres and the sudden cannibalistic hunger towards them.

Risks and Diseases: At risk of total amputation of the sensory whiskers if kept on unsuitable stones. Present total clinical intolerance and enormous mortality in the face of commercial antiparasitic compounds (including pure salt and copper compounds).