{"product_id":"cockatoo-dwarf-cichlid-apistogramma-cacatuoides-freshwater","title":"Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCockatoo Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eApistogramma cacatuoides\u003c\/em\u003e) is the friendliest doorway into the world of South American dwarf cichlids. Males flare a tall, spiky dorsal crest that gives the fish its name, then back it up with a lyre-shaped tail edged in orange and red, while females stay smaller and plainer until they have eggs to guard and turn a startling buttercup yellow. Tank-bred stock is forgiving about water chemistry, tops out around three inches, and settles happily into a planted 20 gallon, which makes this the rare cichlid you can keep with a school of tetras and still call beginner friendly. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a single fish or a pair, 29 gallons or more if you want a male with two or three females. Floor space matters more than height, so a 20 long is the ideal shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaves are not optional:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is a cave spawner and a naturally shy bottom dweller. Give it at least one cave per female plus a few spares. An \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-apisto-cave\"\u003eApisto Cave\u003c\/a\u003e is purpose-built for the job, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003echolla wood\u003c\/a\u003e works just as well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e break the bottom into territories with plants, wood, and leaf litter so fish can get out of each other's line of sight. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cryptocoryne-wendtii-red-potted-freshwater-crypt-plant\"\u003eCryptocoryne wendtii\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/anubias-nana-anubias-barteri-nana-potted-freshwater-plant\"\u003eAnubias nana\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-fern-on-lava-rock-microsorum-pteropus-freshwater\"\u003eJava Fern\u003c\/a\u003e all thrive in the same low-light, soft-water conditions the fish likes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e fine sand. Cockatoos sift mouthfuls of it looking for food, and sand lets them do that without scraping their gills.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 7.5, hardness 2 to 15 dGH. Tank-bred fish handle average tap water fine. A handful of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaves\u003c\/a\u003e softens and tints the water toward their blackwater home streams and brings out deeper color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e micropredator. Frozen foods get the best response, so rotate \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-brine-shrimp\"\u003efrozen brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and bloodworms with a quality sinking pellet like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-cichlid-peewee-1-5-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eCichlid PeeWee 1.5mm\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e. Feed small portions twice a day and make sure food actually reaches the bottom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e weekly water changes of 25 percent. They are hardy but dislike nitrate creep, and clean water is what turns a drab store fish into a showpiece over the first month at home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eApistogramma cacatuoides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Cockatoo Apisto, Big Mouth Apistogramma\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner, the most forgiving \u003cem\u003eApistogramma\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, territorial around the cave when spawning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMales 3 to 3.5 inches, females about 2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons, 29 gallons for a harem\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2 to 15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, micropredator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBottom and lower middle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e3 to 5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAmazon basin, Peru and Colombia. Our stock is tank bred.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCockatoos own the bottom of the tank and ignore everything swimming above them, which makes them excellent community cichlids. Pair them with mid and upper water schoolers like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cardinal-tetra-paracheirodon-axelrodi-freshwater\"\u003eCardinal Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/kubotai-rasbora-microdevario-kubotai-freshwater\"\u003eKubotai Rasbora\u003c\/a\u003e. Algae crew like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/clown-pleco-panaqolus-maccus-freshwater\"\u003eClown Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e stay out of the way on wood and glass. Corydoras work in a 29 gallon or larger where there is enough floor to share, with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sterbai-cory-corydoras-sterbai-freshwater\"\u003eSterbai Cory\u003c\/a\u003e a good match for the warmer end of the range and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Cory\u003c\/a\u003e for the cooler end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGive them room from other substrate-claiming cichlids unless the tank is 40 gallons or more, and skip fin nippers such as tiger barbs, which will shred a male's crest and trailing fin extensions. Dwarf shrimp are food, not tank mates, though \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-ramshorn-snail-planorbella-duryi-freshwater\"\u003eramshorn\u003c\/a\u003e and nerite snails are safe. If a pair spawns, expect the female to defend a few inches around her cave for a couple of weeks. That is normal behavior and not a sign of an aggressive fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquarium-co-op-apisto-cave\"\u003eAquarium Co-Op Apisto Cave\u003c\/a\u003e purpose-built spawning and hiding cave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-brine-shrimp\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e for color and conditioning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-cichlid-peewee-1-5-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Cichlid PeeWee 1.5mm\u003c\/a\u003e slow-sinking staple pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e bloodworm-shaped sinking sticks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-community-plus\"\u003eRepashy Community Plus\u003c\/a\u003e gel food for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e for blackwater tint and natural cover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell males from females?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMales are noticeably larger, carry the tall spiky dorsal crest, and grow a lyre-shaped tail marked with orange and red. Females stay around two inches, wear a plain sandy yellow, and turn vivid golden yellow with black blotches when they are holding eggs or herding fry. Ask us which we have in the tank and we will show you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need soft, acidic blackwater to keep one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Tank-bred cockatoos live comfortably from pH 6.0 all the way to 7.5 and in average tap hardness. Soft acidic water with leaf litter deepens their color and is required if you want viable fry, but it is not needed for a healthy, long-lived fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat my cherry shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdults will hunt shrimp, including full-grown cherries, and they are very good at it. Keep the shrimp colony in a separate tank. Snails are safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it tear up my planted tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot the way a larger cichlid would. Cockatoos sift sand and nose around the base of plants but do not uproot or eat them. Rooted crypts, swords, and anything attached to wood or rock stay exactly where you put them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49331749781723,"sku":"SQ-APISTOGRAMMACA","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/a83f8e41-ef3c-4e10-8d37-4570404fe7e1.png?v=1789899786","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cockatoo-dwarf-cichlid-apistogramma-cacatuoides-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}