Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

The *Apistogramma cacatuoides* is unquestionably the "King of Dwarf Cichlids" in distribution and popularity, as well as the most recommended species for those approaching the genus. The adult male is a concentrate of pure aesthetic arrogance: not exceeding 8 cm (3 inches), it sports a disproportionate crested dorsal fin (hence the name "Cockatoo") and lyre-shaped caudal fins, typically exploding with bright orange and fiery red colors streaked with black. The females, although smaller and less showy, transform into spectacular lemon-yellow guardians while caring for their offspring. It is a fish with a proud and territorial character, capable of enlivening the bottom of any well-structured Amazonian aquarium.

Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Sud America (Bacino del Rio delle Amazzoni, Perù, Colombia e Brasile)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

24 °C - 28 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona inferiore. Il loro mondo si sviluppa nei primi 10 centimetri dal fondo e intorno alle grotte.

Adult size

8 cm

Description

Yellow Smoke Signals (Maternal Care):

The maternal dedication is spectacular. During breeding the female turns a highlighter yellow color. Moving in jerks, she uses the color of her body and the contractions of her black fins to literally give "orders" to her swarm of tiny cubs: one movement makes them group together, another makes them instantly glue themselves to the sand motionless to escape a predator.

Care and observations

The Deadly Divorce with Corydoras:

It is common practice among beginners to buy bottom cleaners (Corydoras) and pair them with these dwarf cichlids. It is a mistake that ends in tragedy. Apistogramma females spawn in caves and claim about 30x30 cm (1 sq ft) of bottom space. Corydoras, not understanding the idea of "another fish's territory", will constantly invade the area. The furious Cockatoo female, to defend her fry, will tear out the eyes and fins of the Corydoras until they are all killed by exhaustion.

Harem Architecture:

Do not buy a strict pair in small tanks. The male has a very high libido and will harass a single female until she gets sick from stress. You must buy a "Harem" (1 Male and 2 or 3 Females). For the Harem to work, you will have to provide a minimum of 3 or 4 separate dens (coconut shells or broken terracotta pots) spaced and visually shielded from each other with wood or plants, otherwise the females will kill each other.

The 'Double and Triple Red' Morphs:

Almost all Cockatoos in stores are hybrids selected to exaggerate the colors. "Double Red" means that the dorsal and caudal fins are red with black flames. "Triple Red" (the most expensive) also have a totally red lower anal fin. Maintaining these colors requires live/frozen food rich in astaxanthin.

Fish profile

Temperament: Territoriale (soprattutto in basso) ma pacifico verso i pesci di superficie. I maschi fanno parate muscolari gonfiando le branchie ed estendendo la cresta verso rivali o per corteggiare. Le femmine in riproduzione diventano demoni furiose, attaccando implacabilmente chiunque si avvicini alla tana.
Diet: Micro-predatore. Onnivoro in acquario. Ottimi cacciatori di minuscoli crostacei sul fondo. Fornire una base di micro-pellet affondanti per ciclidi nani integrati spessissimo con chironomus, dafnie, artemia e microworms (sia vivi che congelati).
Tank level: Zona inferiore. Il loro mondo si sviluppa nei primi 10 centimetri dal fondo e intorno alle grotte.
Minimum group: 1
Adult size: 8 cm
Minimum tank: 80 L
GH: 2 dGH - 12 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Harem (1 Maschio per 2-3 Femmine). Se si inseriscono più maschi in meno di 120 cm, il dominante bracccherà e ucciderà i sottomessi. Le femmine stesse sono territoriali tra loro e necessitano ciascuna della propria grotta distante dalle altre.
Feeding frequency: 1-2 volte al giorno, prestando attenzione che il cibo raggiunga il fondo prima di essere divorato dai pesci di branco superiori.
Bioload: Basso
Flow: Corrente da Nulla a Debole. Vengono stancati rapidamente da un flusso eccessivo.
Reproduction: Spawners cavernicoli. La femmina sceglierà una tana buia con apertura strettissima (guscio di noce di cocco), deporrà le uova sul soffitto e vi si rinchiuderà cacciando persino il maschio. Una volta schiusi, guiderà in modo affascinante la nuvola di avannotti per il fondo comunicando con scatti delle pinne.
Compatibility: NON INSERIRE con Corydoras: in un acquario standard non capiscono il concetto di territorio e verrebbero torturati a morte (occhi mangiati, pinne recise) dalle femmine di Apistogramma in riproduzione. Perfetti con Tetras pacifici di mezz'acqua (Neon, Cardinali, Nannostomus) o piccoli Loricaridi da vetro (Otocinclus).

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

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