From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
- Temperature
- 22–29 °C
- pH
- 5 – 7.5
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Diet
- carnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Apistogramma cacatuoides |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Origin: | South America (Amazon basin, Peru and surrounding regions) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | carnivore |
| Max Size: | 7.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | 2+ together |
| Varieties: | More cultivated strains than any other Apistogramma, and they are what most people buy. Selectively bred forms include sunset, sunburst, double red, triple red, gold, white gold, orange flash and albino. The red strains concentrate colour into the caudal and dorsal fins; the gold and white gold forms lighten the body; orange flash spreads orange through the flanks. All are the same species with the same requirements, and all are commercially produced and relatively unfussy about water compared with wild fish. Wild-type cacatuoides are less showy and, from some populations, more demanding — needing pH 5.0–6.0 to breed. The trade-off is the usual one: heavily line-bred strains tend to be less robust, and the fin extensions on some red strains are exaggerated well past the wild form. The genus contains a hundred-odd described species and many undescribed forms traded under collection codes. A. agassizii, A. borellii, A. macmasteri and A. trifasciata are all commonly available, all with similar habits — and all of which should be kept in separate tanks from this one. |
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Soft sand; caves, leaf litter and planting for territories
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:Moderate (gentle flow)
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It is native to South America (Amazon basin, Peru and surrounding regions). The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is the Apistogramma to start with, and the one that made the genus popular. It comes from the Amazon basin around Peru. Males reach 75 mm standard length and females 50 mm — a considerable size difference, and the first thing you notice in a mixed group. The name is the male's dorsal fin: the front rays extend into a tall spiky crest that he raises when displaying, often tipped in red or orange. In full display, side-on to a rival, he is one of the more spectacular small fish in fresh water. There are two versions of this fish in the trade and it matters which you have. Commercially produced stock is relatively unfussy about water. Some wild populations require pH values of 5.0 to 6.0 in order to breed, and wild fish are a different proposition to keep. It is a harem spawner, and the female does the parenting.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Groups of 2+
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Matched on family, then category, then water type