▷ Cockatoo cichlids / Cockatoo dwarf cichlids

Data sheet cockatoo cichlids / cockatoo dwarf cichlids

German name:
Cockatoo cichlids / Kakadu dwarf cichlids

Scientific name:
Apistogramma cacatuoides

Origin:
South America (Peru)

Size:
Body length 6cm – 9cm

Aquarium

Length:
Length from 100 cm width

Contents:
from 120 liters

water values

Temperature:
23°-28° C

pH:
5.5 – 7.6

GH:
5° – 18° dH

Behave

Area:
lower area, near the ground

Lining:
Flake food, dry food, frozen food

Behave:
very calm, territorial, aggressive during the mating season, can easily be socialized with peaceful fish that are not too small

Number:
in small groups, at least 4 animals, 1 male and 3 females

Difficulty level:
Beginner

Red spider, Apistogramma cacatuoides, CC BY-SA 3.0

A. cacatuoides are not fish for beginners. Like almost all Apistogramma species, it places higher demands on the water quality if it is to be maintained permanently and successfully.

Like all Apistogramma species, A. cacatuoides are susceptible to bacterial diseases and intestinal parasites, e.g. B. Worm infestation. They are sensitive to medicines. (Source: Aquahandel)

Within the Apistogramma species, it does not require as soft water as most other species. Total and carbonate hardness should be less than 12. The pH can be as high as 7.6. The conductance in the regions of origin is around 400 µS.

What cockatoo dwarf cichlids eat

Platy males courting cockatoo females. Photo: Heike Krause

Cockatoo dwarf cichlids eat dry food and granulated food only reluctantly or not at all. Frozen and live food is better.

Suitable feed:

The gender differences

Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: Redspider

As with most Apistogramma species, males and females are vastly different in shape and color.

The females are not even half the size of the males.

While a male can grow to 12 centimeters, females grow to a maximum of 5 to 6 centimeters.

dominant females

Although males are usually significantly stronger than females, in some cases the females will attack the male.

A possible cause is that the female is defending a territory or young. The behavior is also observed when a new, often younger male is introduced to an existing female. In such cases, the female is probably ready to spawn, while the male initially shows no interest. Most of the time, however, both spawn together after a while.

The socialization with other dwarf cichlids

A socialization with other dwarf cichlids is problematic. Other unrelated species are also fought. However, the intraspecific disputes are greater. Disputes only occur within the gender. if e.g. For example, if only one male is kept with 3 females, the females will fight among themselves.

Anomalochromis thomasi, Laeatacara curviceps or other open spawners are suitable for socializing.

Husbandry / husbandry conditions for cockatoo cichlids

The district sizes

Each male claims a territory with a diameter of approx. 50 centimetres. Each female needs a territory with a diameter of approx. 25 mm.

There should be enough hiding places in the tank.

How many cockatoo dwarf cichlids can be kept in an aquarium.

How many animals can be kept in an aquarium depends on the size of the aquarium.

Up to 8 females can be placed for each male. The total number depends on the aquarium size. There is an observation that A. cacatuoides form strong partnerships. A male will spawn with several females, but one female is often preferred.

Apistogrammaca cacatuoides male Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: Public domain Author: RealDarkWhite

Cockatoo dwarf cichlids should not be kept in small aquariums with less than 112 liters volume. Only one pair should be maintained in tanks from 112 to 200 liters. Depending on the aggressiveness of the individual animals, one male can be kept with 2 to 3 females, but one female is enough. In aquariums with a volume of more than 200 liters and a floor area of ​​at least 100 x 50 centimeters, two males can be kept with several females.

According to some recommendations, 3 males and 4 to 6 females can be kept in a well-structured tank of 120 x 50 x 60 centimetres. An alternative pool should then be available in the event of disputes.

Apistogramma cacatuoides are quite territorial. They quickly claim an entire aquarium for themselves. Especially when the females have eggs or young, the other inhabitants often have to suffer.

Experience shows that two males could not be kept in a 575 liter aquarium. An existing male would have killed newly introduced males.