the essentials in brief
Various small and medium-sized tetra species are well suited, as well as viviparous toothcarps such as guppies or platys.
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid should be kept in an aquarium with a capacity of at least 60 liters.
In contrast to the female with a length of just 8 cm and a delicate physique, the male with a length of 10 cm is significantly larger and also stronger.
Are you looking for a new resident for your aquarium that not only looks good, but is also interesting to watch? Then you should take a closer look at the cockatoo dwarf cichlid. This small freshwater fish from the cichlid family is a real eye-catcher with its colorful and jagged dorsal fin, which is reminiscent of a cockatoo's crest.
But the cockatoo dwarf cichlid has even more to offer: It is a peaceful and easy-care fish that gets along well with other species and can even be kept in a community aquarium. In this blog post you will find out everything you need to know about keeping, caring for and breeding the cockatoo dwarf cichlid.
Where does the cockatoo dwarf cichlid come from?
The Cockatoo dwarf cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) originally comes from South America, more precisely from the Amazon region of Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. There it lives in small, shallow watercourses or lagoon-like accumulations of water in the tropical rain forest.
Tip: If you feed your cockatoo dwarf cichlid live or frozen food, make sure it is not too big. The fish have a small mouth and can choke on large pieces of food.
He prefers Water temperatures between 24 and 28 °C and one pH value from soft to medium hard between 6 and 7,5. The natural habitat of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid is characterized by a dense layer of foliage on the bottom, which provides it with shelter and food. He also finds caves and hiding places under roots, stones or plants.
What does the cockatoo dwarf cichlid look like?
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a small fish that grows to a maximum of about eight centimeters in length. The females are significantly smaller than the males at around five centimetres. The body of the fish is not very elongated and moderately high. The mouth is relatively large and has bulging lips.
The basic color of the fish varies from silvery yellow to bluish depending on the origin and breeding form. Dorsal, caudal and anal fins are strong colored orange, red or yellow and often marked with black. The caudal fin usually has a dark eyespot at the base.
Note: Cockatoo dwarf cichlids are very sensitive to nitrate and ammonia in the water. You should therefore regularly carry out a water test and do a partial water change.
A distinctive feature of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a black longitudinal band running from the base of the tail to the head. This stripe can be continuous or discontinuous.
However, the most striking feature of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid is the Dorsal fin, which is particularly long and jagged in males. It is reminiscent of the crest of a cockatoo, to which the fish also owes its name. The dorsal fin is used by the fish as a signal to communicate with conspecifics or as a threat.
How does the cockatoo dwarf cichlid live?
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a peaceful and sociable fish, who likes to live in small groups. It gets along well with other calm and peaceful fish that have similar water quality requirements. It can therefore be kept in a community aquarium as long as it has enough space and hiding places.
Tip: If you feed your cockatoo dwarf cichlid live or frozen food, make sure it is not too big. The fish have a small mouth and can choke on large pieces of food.
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is an inquisitive and active fish that likes to explore its surroundings. It stays mainly in the lower and middle water layer and likes to rummage through the substrate for food. It feeds on small invertebrates, algae, plant parts and flake food.
Additional information: Cockatoo dwarf cichlids belong to the so-called cave breeders. This means they lay their eggs on the ceiling of a cave or under a leaf. The female takes care of the brood alone while the male guards the territory.
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a territorial fish who defends his territory against invaders. The males in particular are very territorial and can become aggressive if they feel threatened. In order to avoid fights, only one male should be kept in the aquarium with several females. The males show their dominance by erecting their dorsal fin and intensifying their colors.
How do I breed the Cockatoo dwarf cichlid?
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is an easy fish to breed that can also reproduce in a community aquarium. It is a cave breeder, meaning it lays its eggs on the ceiling of a cave or under a leaf.
The female takes care of the brood alone while the male guards the territory.
Attention: Cockatoo dwarf cichlids can become very territorial, especially the males. Therefore you should only keep one male with several females in an aquarium to avoid fights.
The reproduction of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid can be promoted by the following measures:
- Offer to the fish enough caves and hiding places, for example from coconut shells, clay pots or roots.
- Increase the water temperature to around 28°C and lower that pH value to approx. 6.
- Feed the fish a variety of foods and high in protein, e.g. B. with live or frozen food such as mosquito larvae, Artemia or Tubifex.
After about three days, the larvae hatch and remain in the cavity for a few more days. The female guards them and fans them with fresh water.
After about a week, the juveniles swim freely and follow the female. They can be fed with fine dust food or newly hatched artemia.
Why the cockatoo dwarf cichlid is an ideal aquarium fish
The cockatoo dwarf cichlid is an attractive and interesting aquarium fish that is good for beginners. It is easy to care for, peaceful and prolific. It needs a well-planted aquarium with soft to medium-hard water and plenty of caves and hiding places. It gets along well with other calm fish and can be kept in a community tank. With its brightly colored dorsal fin and lively demeanor, it brings color and life to any aquarium. I hope you enjoyed this text and helped you to learn more about the cockatoo dwarf cichlid.