Giant Brochis (Brochis sp.) in a freshwater aquarium
Easy carePeacefulBottom dwellerSouth America / Africa

Giant Brochis

Brochis sp.

The Giant Brochis (Brochis sp.) is a peaceful fish that's easy to keep. Give it a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons), water held at 70-79°F, and a pH of 6-7.8.

Care levelEasy
TemperamentPeaceful
Min tank size40 US gal
pH range6-7.8
Temperature70-79°F
Max size3.5 in (9.0 cm)
Captive lifespan5-10 years
SchoolingNo
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Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.

Natural distribution

Mostly South America / Africa

  • South America
  • Africa

Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.

Giant Brochis Tank Setup

Plan for at least 150 litres (40 US gallons) with soft sand or smooth, rounded gravel - sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the water at 70-79°F with a pH around 6-7.8.

What Do Giant Brochis Eat?

They're bottom feeders, so give them sinking wafers, tablets, or frozen treats like bloodworm once the lights go down. Flakes that never reach the bottom leave them hungry even when the tank looks well-fed.

Giant Brochis Tank Mates

The Giant Brochis is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.

Are Giant Brochis Good for Beginners?

Reasonable early choice after cycling. Buy after the tank has stable ammonia and nitrite readings, not the same weekend you fill it.

Giant Brochis - frequently asked questions

What size tank do Giant Brochis need?

Giant Brochis need a tank of at least 150 litres (40 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.

What water parameters do Giant Brochis need?

Keep them at 70-79°F with a pH of 6-7.8, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.

What do Giant Brochis eat?

Giant Brochis are bottom feeders. Give them sinking wafers, tablets, and frozen foods that settle on the substrate, ideally after the lights go off. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.

Are Giant Brochis good for beginners?

Yes - Giant Brochis are a reasonable beginner fish once the tank is cycled and parameters are stable. Add them after ammonia and nitrite read 0 ppm, not the same day you fill the tank.

Common mistakes with Giant Brochis

  • Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 150 litres (40 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.

Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.

Fish to avoid mixing with Giant Brochis

These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.

  • OscarPredator - Oscar will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
  • Betta (Male)Predator - Betta (Male) will eat or injure smaller tank mates