{"product_id":"apistogramma-cacatuoides-apistogramma-cacatuoides","title":"Apistogramma Cacatuoides | Apistogramma cacatuoides","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid is the hardiest and most popular apisto of all, with males flaring a spiky, red-tipped dorsal that fans up like a cockatoo's crest. Peaceful, characterful and forgiving, it is the perfect first apistogramma. Males reach around 8 cm while females stay smaller, making it a superb centrepiece for a soft, warm, planted community.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApistogramma cacatuoides comes from the upper Amazon basin of Peru, along the Ucayali and neighbouring drainages, where it lives among leaf litter, roots and wood in soft, warm, slowly moving water. Fine sand, planting, driftwood and leaf litter recreate its home and encourage natural foraging and display, while gentle shade brings out its colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales carry a tall, spiky dorsal fin fanning up like a cockatoo's crest, with red-and-black edged finnage over a warm tan body marked by a dark lateral band. Aquarium lines come in red, orange and 'triple red' forms. Females are much smaller and plainer, turning bright yellow when breeding. Colour and finnage develop fully in mature males.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and confident for a cichlid, becoming territorial only around a spawning cave. It mixes well with small, gentle mid- and upper-water community fish and can be kept as a male with several females. Provide caves and broken sight lines so a male can hold a territory. Avoid keeping several rival males in a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator that relishes small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops and micro worms, and readily takes quality micro pellets and flake. Feed a varied diet in small amounts to keep colour and condition high.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 60 L, with 75 L or larger better for a harem or community. Keep temperature at 26–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately soft water, around GH 2–12. Use fine sand, dense planting, driftwood and small caves, and keep water clean with regular small changes. The Cockatoo is the most forgiving apisto but still appreciates stable, warm water. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn easy and rewarding cave-spawner, ideal for a first attempt at breeding apistos. The female lays and tends eggs inside a cave, colouring bright yellow, while the male guards the surrounding territory. Soft, warm, slightly acidic water encourages spawning; feed fry newly hatched brine shrimp and micro foods. Water chemistry can influence the sex ratio of the brood.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApistogramma cacatuoides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCockatoo Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUpper Amazon basin (Peru)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 8 cm (males); females smaller, around 5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate (the most forgiving apisto)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro): small live and frozen foods, micro pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26–29 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderate, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft-water planted and community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, hatchetfish, peaceful corydoras, otocinclus and other calm community fish. Upper-water dither fish help apistos feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, fin-nippers, and rival male apistos in a small tank. Avoid hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232825721123,"sku":"AA1405","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232825753891,"sku":"AA1405-M","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-cacatuoides-api-43091525206307.webp?v=1790306578","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-cacatuoides-apistogramma-cacatuoides","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}