Cockatoo Cichlid Red (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

16 October 2026

301

The Cockatoo Cichlid is a small South American dwarf cichlid valued for its personality, breeding behavior and colorful finnage. Apistogramma cacatuoides is generally adaptable when provided with clean, stable water, cover and a soft substrate. Males are larger and more vividly marked than females, while pairs become territorial around spawning sites. The supplied “red” designation most likely refers to a selectively bred color form; exact strain and sex confirmation cannot be established from the listing alone.

Cockatoo Cichlid Red (Apistogramma cacatuoides)

Taxonomy and identification

Apistogramma cacatuoides belongs to the family Cichlidae and the genus Apistogramma. It is commonly called the Cockatoo Cichlid or Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid. Adult males are larger, deeper-bodied and more strongly colored, with extended dorsal, dorsal-fin and caudal-fin rays. Females are smaller and often become yellow during breeding. The listing identifies a red form, but the precise cultivated strain cannot be confirmed from the available information.

Distribution and habitat

This species is native to the western Amazon region of South America, particularly Peru and associated tributaries and slow-flowing waters. It inhabits shallow margins with leaf litter, submerged roots, branches and other cover. In aquaria, a natural layout with caves, plants, wood and shaded areas helps reduce stress and allows each fish to establish a territory.

Aquarium setup and tank size

A pair can be maintained in an aquarium of about 60 litres, although 75 litres or more provides better territory separation and is preferable for a community aquarium. Use fine sand or another smooth substrate, gentle filtration and moderate water movement. Provide several caves or coconut-shell shelters, visual barriers and dense planting. A covered aquarium is advisable because startled fish may jump.

Water parameters

Maintain stable, well-filtered water at 23–28 °C and pH 5.5–7.5. Soft to moderately hard water is suitable, with low nitrate and no detectable ammonia or nitrite. Wild-type and breeding fish often spawn most readily in softer, slightly acidic water, but stability is more important than pursuing an exact number. Perform regular partial water changes and avoid abrupt changes in temperature or chemistry.

Behavior and compatibility

Cockatoo Cichlids are generally peaceful toward appropriately sized community fish but become territorial, particularly when spawning. They spend much of their time near the bottom and use caves as retreats. Suitable companions include peaceful small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras and other non-aggressive midwater fish that tolerate the same conditions. Avoid large, boisterous or fin-nipping species and do not crowd the bottom zone with other territorial cichlids. In a pair, ensure the female has multiple shelters so she can avoid persistent male attention.

Diet

This species is an omnivore with a preference for small animal foods. Offer a varied diet of quality small cichlid or community granules supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae and bloodworms. Feed small portions once or twice daily and remove uneaten food. Newly imported or stressed fish may respond especially well to small frozen or live foods while acclimating.

Breeding

Apistogramma cacatuoides is a cave-spawning substrate brooder. Provide several small caves, subdued lighting and excellent water quality. The female usually selects a cave, lays adhesive eggs on the roof or walls and guards the eggs and fry, while the male typically defends the wider territory. Eggs commonly hatch after several days, followed by free-swimming fry. Feed fry newly hatched brine shrimp or another appropriately tiny food, and separate them if tank mates threaten them. Breeding aggression can be significant in a small aquarium.

Care notes

Purchase fish that are active, well-fed and free of visible lesions, frayed fins or rapid breathing. Quarantine new arrivals where possible. The supplied listing describes two red Cockatoo Cichlids as a pair, but sex, compatibility and established pairing cannot be verified from the listing alone. Observe them closely after introduction and be prepared to divide the aquarium or rehome one fish if persistent aggression occurs.

Fish info

Care level: Moderate
Temperament: Moderate
Adult size: Male 7–9 cm; female 4–5 cm
Life expectancy: 3–5 years
Fish type: South American dwarf cichlid
Temperature : 23–28 °C
pH: 5.5–7.5

Related on Fishs

Leave your comments

Latest on Fishs

Betta imbellis: Peaceful Fighting Fish Care Guide

Moderate

Osphronemid labyrinth fish

Betta imbellis, commonly called the peaceful fighting fish, is a small labyrinth fish from shallow, slow-moving waters of the Malay Peninsula and nearby parts of Sumatra. It is generally less combative than Betta splendens, although males remain territorial and should not be assumed to be universally peaceful. This guide covers identification, habitat, aquarium care, feeding, tank mates and bubble-nest breeding. The pictured fish appears consistent with a selectively bred, long-finned Betta imbellis, but image-only identification cannot confirm its lineage or locality.
Nicaraguan Cichlid (Hypsophrys nicaraguensis)

Moderate - Difficult

Large Central American cichlid

The Nicaraguan cichlid is a robust Central American species known for its changing gold, orange, blue and black patterning. It is often sold under the older name Cichlasoma nicaraguense, while Hypsophrys nicaraguensis is the generally accepted current placement. This is a territorial fish requiring substantial space, strong filtration and carefully planned tank mates. The supplied listing describes a pair, but sex, compatibility and breeding condition cannot be independently verified from the source image alone.
Pearl Gourami (Trichogaster leerii)

Easy - Moderate

Peaceful freshwater labyrinth fish

The pearl gourami is a peaceful, labyrinth fish recognized by its pearly spots, dark midlateral stripe, and warm orange throat. It originates in vegetated, slow-moving waters of Southeast Asia and is generally suitable for a calm community aquarium. A pair needs stable, warm water, dense cover, gentle flow, and access to atmospheric air at the surface.
Moonlight Gourami (Trichogaster microlepis)

Moderate

Southeast Asian labyrinth fish

The moonlight gourami is a peaceful, laterally compressed labyrinth fish from mainland Southeast Asia. Its silvery body, long thread-like pelvic fins and calm, deliberate swimming make it a distinctive community-aquarium species. Although the supplied source identifies a pair, sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the images alone. Provide a spacious, mature aquarium with gentle flow, dense planting and access to humid air above the water. It is generally hardy once acclimated, but it appreciates stable conditions and should not be housed with fin-nipping or highly aggressive tank mates.
Keyhole Cichlid (Aequidens maronii)

Moderate

South American freshwater cichlid

The fish supplied is consistent with the keyhole cichlid, commonly listed as Aequidens maronii and currently placed by many authorities in the genus Cleithracara. It is a relatively peaceful South American cichlid recognized by its dark keyhole-shaped marking, subdued body coloration and interesting parental care. A pair needs a mature, well-filtered aquarium with soft surroundings, hiding places and stable water quality. Although generally manageable, it becomes territorial while spawning and should not be kept with boisterous or fin-nipping tank mates.
Marble Gourami (Cosby Gourami), Trichopodus trichopterus

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami, commonly sold as the Cosby gourami, is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, Trichopodus trichopterus. It is a labyrinth fish that can breathe atmospheric air and generally occupies the upper and middle levels of a planted aquarium. This species is usually hardy, but adult males may become territorial, particularly when spawning. The supplied images show several color forms, so exact strain identification is not certain; the fish are best treated as marble or related cultivated forms of T. trichopterus.
Marble Gourami, Gold-Orange Form (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Easy - Moderate

Freshwater labyrinth fish

The marble gourami is a selectively bred color form of the three-spot gourami, a labyrinth fish from mainland and island Southeast Asia. The supplied trade label identifies these fish as a gold-orange pair, although commercial names and appearance can vary, so the exact cultivated form is not fully certain. They are generally hardy community fish, but males may become territorial, especially when spawning. Provide warm, stable water, surface access, dense planting, and gentle filtration.
Honey Gourami Gold (Trichogaster chuna)

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish suited to planted freshwater aquariums. The supplied source identifies a gold pair as Colisa chuna, an older name now generally treated as Trichogaster chuna. The photographs show orange-gold individuals, but sex and exact variety cannot be confirmed from the images alone. Provide gentle flow, surface access, dense cover and calm tank mates for best results.
Honey Gourami (Colisa chuna) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The honey gourami is a small, peaceful labyrinth fish from the slow-moving waters of South Asia. Aquarium specimens may be natural honey-colored fish or selectively bred red and orange forms, like those shown here. The supplied images appear consistent with honey gourami, although sex cannot be confirmed reliably from the photographs. A planted aquarium with gentle flow, surface cover, stable warm water and calm tank mates suits this species well.
Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Care Guide

Easy - Moderate

Labyrinth fish; freshwater anabantoid

The blue gourami is a hardy labyrinth fish suited to a spacious, planted community aquarium. It is the blue color form of the three-spot gourami, a species that can become territorial, particularly when males mature or spawn. Provide gentle filtration, access to warm humid air above the water, hiding places, and a varied diet. The supplied images clearly show blue gouramis, although photographs alone cannot confirm sex or verify that every pictured fish belongs to the same color form.
Giraffe Perch (Nimbochromis venustus) Care Guide

Difficult

Lake Malawi predatory haplochromine cichlid

Nimbochromis venustus is a large predatory haplochromine cichlid from Lake Malawi, known in aquariums as the giraffe perch or giraffe cichlid. Juveniles are comparatively subdued, while adults develop blue facial tones and yellow, olive or gold body coloration with darker markings. The supplied listing describes two 4 cm fish as a pair, but sex cannot be confirmed reliably at that size. This species requires a spacious, rocky aquarium and carefully selected tank mates.
Dwarf Gourami (Trichogaster lalius)

Moderate

Small freshwater labyrinth fish

The dwarf gourami is a small labyrinth fish from vegetated, slow-moving waters of South Asia. Trichogaster lalius is generally peaceful, colorful and suitable for a planted community aquarium, although males can become territorial, especially around a bubble nest. A pair needs warm, stable water, gentle circulation, surface access and plenty of cover. The supplied identification is consistent with dwarf gourami, though color varieties and sex should be confirmed by physical examination.
Five-Bar Cichlid (Neolamprologus tretocephalus)

Difficult

Lake Tanganyika rock-dwelling cichlid

The five-bar cichlid, also called the five-striped cichlid, is a robust Lake Tanganyika predator with a dark blue-gray body marked by five broad black bars. Neolamprologus tretocephalus is territorial and can become highly aggressive, particularly when spawning. It suits experienced aquarists who can provide a spacious, rock-structured aquarium, alkaline hard water, and carefully selected tank mates. The supplied label identifies this fish as a pair, but sex and exact locality cannot be confirmed from the available information.
Gardner’s Splendid Carp (Fundulopanchax gardneri)

Moderate

West African killifish

Gardner’s splendid carp is a small West African killifish valued for its iridescent body, red markings and patterned fins. The supplied image appears to show a brightly colored male, while the source identifies a pair; exact locality form and sex of every fish cannot be confirmed from the available evidence. It is generally peaceful, though males may spar, and it is best kept in a covered, mature aquarium with gentle flow, subdued lighting and abundant plant cover.
Pelvicachromis taeniatus Nigeria Red

Moderate

West African dwarf cichlid

Pelvicachromis taeniatus, commonly known as the striped krib or taeniatus cichlid, is a small West African riverine cichlid valued for its parental behavior and locality-based color variation. “Nigeria Red” identifies a trade form or collection locality rather than a separate species. The supplied source label also calls these fish emerald perch, but that common name is not a standard scientific name. This species is generally manageable for experienced beginners when provided with stable, clean water, hiding places and a carefully planned community aquarium.
Apistogramma agassizii ‘Fire Red’

Moderate

South American dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma agassizii is a small South American cichlid valued for its intricate markings, elongated fins and interesting parental behavior. “Fire Red” is a selectively bred aquarium color form rather than a separate species. The supplied listing describes a pair, although sex, locality and breeding-line identity cannot be confirmed from the available material. This species suits a mature, planted aquarium with soft, clean water, subdued lighting, cover and a fine substrate.