Cockatoo cichlid size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 7.5 cm. Record sizes among the 11 Apistogramma species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 6.5 cm (Steindachner's Apisto).

Cockatoo cichlid tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Cockatoo cichlid water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 5.5–7.2, hardness 1–10 °dGH. Close to what most Apistogramma on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).

Cockatoo cichlid tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Molly, Congo tetra, and Bronze corydoras.

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Cockatoo cichlid

Apistogramma cacatuoides

It holds a small patch of bottom; a guarding female will chase off giants.

The Cockatoo cichlid (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 7.5 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 60 cm long and water at 24–29 °C.

Size: 7.5 cm
Smallest tank: 60 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–29 °C

pH5.5–7.2

Hardness1–10 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Bottom
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres10 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres30 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres50 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres108 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres200 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres240 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along53 species

and 29 more species

Caution39 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together7 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusApistogramma
SpeciesApistogramma cacatuoides
Described byHoedeman, 1951

In other languages

English: Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
German: Kakadu-zwergbuntbarsch
Russian: Карликовая цихлида какаду
Chinese: 絲鰭隱帶麗魚

Quick answers

Cockatoo cichlid size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 7.5 cm. Record sizes among the 11 Apistogramma species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 6.5 cm (Steindachner's Apisto).
Cockatoo cichlid tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 60 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Cockatoo cichlid water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 5.5–7.2, hardness 1–10 °dGH. Close to what most Apistogramma on LumaReef need (22–28 °C).
Cockatoo cichlid tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Molly, Congo tetra, and Bronze corydoras.
Cockatoo cichlid: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Cockatoo cichlid and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.