Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
apistogramma cacatuoides

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Cost: $5-45, the price you pay depends on where you go. It’s more expensive to buy from a shop then from a breeder.

Short Bio:
One of the smaller, peaceful, and very beautiful cichlids. The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid also has a very fascinating breeding behavior.

Origin:
It’s from the Peruvian part of the Amazon Basin.

Size:
The males will grow up to a size of 2.75 in (7 cm) with females reaching a size of 1 in (2.5 cm).

Sexual distinctions:
Males will be larger with brighter colors and more ornate finnage. The mouths of full-grown males will be very large.

Tank conditions:
The tank can be a community tank or a specialist aquarium.
Minimum tank size is 24 x 12 x 12 in (60 x 30 x 30 cm).

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Temperature should be between 79-81 degrees Fahrenheit (26-27 Celsius). The water ideally should be soft and slightly acid to slightly alkaline. (Ph of 6.0-7.5), although the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid will still breed in hard water. The water should be of excellent quality at all times. Try to eliminate strong currents. The tank should be decorated with plants and small flower pots, the substrate should be a fine gravel or sand. There really in no limit to the number of Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids kept in one tank, just make sure that each female is given a 12 in (30 cm) diameter territory of their own.
The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid tends to stay near the bottom of the tank.

Food:
In the wild would normally eat small aquatic organisms but in a controlled environment the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids diet should consist of small live food, frozen food, and or flake food. Switching up the diet every now and then is a good thing to do, it will give a balanced diet.

Behavior:
Peaceful in community tanks and can defend it’s brood against much larger fish. When defending it’s brood it uses intimidation more then injury inflicting fights.

Breeding:
Will pair up, but it’s better to have 7 females to one male, giving each female it’s own 12 in (30 cm) diameter territory with the males territory. The breeding caves should have small opening and low set ceilings. The brood is watched over by the female(s) alone.