{"product_id":"apistogramma-cacatuoides-male-orange-flash-apistogramma-cacatuoides-orange-flash","title":"Apistogramma Cacatuoides Male Orange Flash | Apistogramma cacatuoides 'Orange Flash'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis Orange Flash is a line-bred male Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, blazing with orange in its spiky, cockatoo-crest dorsal and finnage. The Cockatoo is the hardiest and most rewarding of all apistos, full of personality and a brilliant introduction to the genus. Sold as a male, it reaches around 8 cm and makes a superb centrepiece for a soft, warm, planted tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApistogramma cacatuoides comes from the upper Amazon basin of Peru, along the Ucayali and surrounding drainages, where it lives among leaf litter, roots and wood in soft, warm, slowly moving water. The 'Orange Flash' is an aquarium-developed colour line but thrives in the same conditions. Fine sand, planting, driftwood and leaf litter recreate its home and encourage natural foraging and display.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMales carry a tall, spiky dorsal fin that fans up like a cockatoo's crest, with heavy orange in the dorsal, tail and anal fins over a warm body. The 'Orange Flash' line is selected to intensify this orange. Females are much smaller, plainer and turn bright yellow when breeding. Colour deepens with maturity, good diet and dark substrate.\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 with females to form a harem. 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.\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\u003eOrange Flash Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLine-bred; wild form from the upper 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":55232825491747,"sku":"AA1585","price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232825524515,"sku":"AA1585-M","price":64.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-cacatuoides-mal-10266495156515-fl.webp?v=1790510293","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-cacatuoides-male-orange-flash-apistogramma-cacatuoides-orange-flash","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}