Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

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Description

The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is one of the most admired South American dwarf cichlids, known for its elegant shape, lively personality, and fascinating social behaviors. These specimens represent the wild-type form, showcasing the natural golden-tan body with dark lateral stripes, subtle blue iridescence, and fiery orange edging on the fins that inspired the name “Cockatoo.”

Our fish are tank-bred and locally bred in Indiana, ensuring hardiness and adaptability to aquarium life while preserving the authentic appearance of this classic species. Their natural coloration and complex behaviors make them an excellent choice for aquarists who appreciate the pure, untamed beauty of the original form rather than a selectively bred variant.

What We Love About This Fish:

• Natural Wild-Type Beauty: Displays the original color pattern and fin shape found in wild populations.
• Expressive Personality: Curious, intelligent, and interactive—these fish quickly recognize their keepers.
• Peaceful Dwarf Cichlid: Suitable for community tanks with calm species and ideal for small cichlid setups.
• Captivating Courtship Behavior: Males display vivid flaring and fin spreads during breeding season.

Natural Habitat:

In the wild, the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) inhabits the quiet tributaries and floodplain creeks of the upper Amazon Basin, stretching through Peru and Brazil. These waters are typically soft, warm, and lightly stained with tannins from decaying leaves and driftwood. The substrate is made up of fine sand and organic detritus, with thick patches of submerged roots and overhanging plants that create shaded, tranquil zones.

This natural environment offers shelter, territory boundaries, and gentle current—conditions that bring out the species’ full color and social behavior. Mimicking this balance of structure and softness in the aquarium helps these fish display their natural confidence, courtship, and interactive personalities.

Aquascaping:

Recreate the Amazon’s serene beauty by combining layered plants, natural textures, and botanicals that promote both comfort and curiosity for your fish.

• Plants: Use broadleaf species such as Amazon Sword, Cryptocoryne, and Java Fern to establish lush midground cover. These plants form safe retreats while visually softening hardscape elements. Adding floating plants like Frogbit or Red Root Floater can diffuse lighting and encourage more natural activity, giving your aquarium a warm, dappled glow that mimics sunlight filtering through rainforest canopy.

• Hardscape: Incorporate aged driftwood, smooth river stones, and natural rock caves to simulate the intricate root tangles and crevices of the Amazon’s shallow waterways. Driftwood releases gentle tannins that darken the water slightly, providing both aesthetic depth and biological benefit. Arrange your hardscape to create a mix of open swimming space and protected territories—perfect for a cichlid pair or small harem.

• Botanicals: Scatter Indian Almond Leaves, Catappa Bark, and Alder Cones throughout the substrate to naturally tint the water, condition the environment, and foster healthy biofilm growth. The leaf litter doubles as spawning cover and fry refuge while supporting microfauna that enrich the ecosystem. For a simple, balanced start, the Aquatic Arts Botanical Combo Pack offers a curated selection that complements South American setups and enhances water chemistry naturally.

Diet and Feeding:

In their natural environment, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids forage among leaf litter and submerged roots, picking at tiny crustaceans, insect larvae, and biofilm. In the aquarium, they readily adapt to a variety of prepared and frozen foods, making them both engaging and rewarding to feed.

Provide a balanced omnivorous diet that includes a high-quality base of micro pellets or tropical flakes formulated for small community fish. Supplement regularly with frozen or live treats such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms, or micro worms to support color vibrancy, health, and breeding behavior.

Feeding smaller portions twice daily helps mimic their natural foraging rhythm. You’ll often see males sifting sand or inspecting botanicals for leftover morsels—a sign of healthy, instinctive behavior.

For consistent nutrition and conditioning, we recommend pairing their staple diet with Ultra Fresh Shrimp Delight, ideal for enhancing growth and maintaining vivid coloration.

Tank Mates and Compatibility:

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids are peaceful for their size and thrive in community tanks with small tetras, rasboras, or peaceful catfish species. Avoid keeping them with aggressive or highly territorial fish. Maintain one male with several females in larger setups for natural behavior and harmony.

Shrimp Compatibility:

Generally safe with adult shrimp, though tiny shrimp fry may be eaten. Provide plenty of cover such as moss, dense plants, and botanicals if housing with shrimp colonies.

Breeding:

A cave-spawning species. Provide multiple hiding areas and coconut caves to encourage pair bonding. The female guards eggs and fry while the male patrols nearby territory. Maintain slightly acidic, soft water to increase spawning success.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 76–82 °F (24–28 °C)
• pH: 6.0–7.4
• KH: 2–8 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (for a pair)

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Omnivore—accepts dry, frozen, and live foods.
• Social Behavior: Semi-territorial; best in pairs or harems.
• Origin: Tank-bred and locally bred (Indiana).
• Average Adult Size: 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm).
• Average Purchase Size: 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm).

Live Arrival Guarantee:

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