Cockatoo cichlid care guide
Also called: Cockatoo dwarf cichlid, Cockatoo apisto, Double red cockatoo cichlid, Triple red cockatoo cichlid, Orange flash cockatoo cichlid
The cockatoo cichlid is a hardy Apistogramma with a tall, spiky dorsal fin and bright red or orange strains. Males reach about 3 in (7.5 cm). Keep one fish or a pair in 20 gallons (76 L) or more, and a male with several females in a bigger tank, with caves and leaf litter.
Cockatoo cichlids need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 7.5 cm (3 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with cockatoo cichlidsSee all tank mates
Cockatoo cichlid quick facts
| Scientific name | Apistogramma cacatuoides |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Colombia and western Brazil, South America (most sold are captive-bred color strains) |
| Adult size | 7.5 cm (3 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L), at least 60 cm (24 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–10 dGH |
| Group size | Alone, or 1 male with several females |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
A single fish or a pair needs at least 20 gallons (76 L) and 24 in (60 cm) of length, and a male with two or three females needs 40 gallons (151 L) or more, because each female claims roughly 30 cm (1 ft) of floor. Give each female her own cave, and add wood, plants and dried leaves. Fine sand and dim light suit them best. A gentle filter, such as a sponge filter, keeps the current low.
How many cockatoo cichlids in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits cockatoo cichlids is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Cockatoo cichlids (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Up to 8 |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 8 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 12 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 17 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 24 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 33 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 55 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one male, alone or with several females.
What you need for cockatoo cichlids
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits cockatoo cichlids. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 25 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for cockatoo cichlids
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Aim for 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water (about 2–10 dGH). Captive-bred strains are among the most adaptable apistos. Wild fish, and pairs you want to breed, do better in soft, acidic water. Keep nitrate low with weekly water changes.
Best tank mates for cockatoo cichlids
These popular species share cockatoo cichlids' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 56 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Tiger barb
7 cm (2.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Avoid keeping cockatoo cichlids with
- Cherry shrimp: Cockatoo cichlid eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat cockatoo cichlids: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Cockatoo cichlid 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Electric yellow cichlid: Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid. It needs a Lake Malawi tank: hard, alkaline water (pH 7.5–8.5), plenty of rockwork and other cichlids from the same lake. Cockatoo cichlids don't belong in that setup.
Feeding
It is mainly a carnivore that picks small invertebrates off the bottom. Feed frozen or live bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and blackworms, along with small sinking pellets or granules. Vary the diet and don't overfeed rich foods.
Behavior
Cockatoo cichlids are territorial for their size. Males defend a wide area, and females guard their own caves, especially with fry. Keep one male in most tanks and don't mix them with other Apistogramma species. In a small tank, a female guarding fry can turn on the male, so have a spare tank ready. Calm midwater dither fish such as tetras, pencilfish and rasboras make good tank mates, but other bottom dwellers may get pushed around.
Breeding
Males are much larger, with a tall, jagged dorsal fin, long fin tips and brighter color. Females are smaller and more yellow, with dark pelvic fins. The female lays a clutch of several dozen eggs on the ceiling of a cave and guards them while the male patrols the territory. Eggs hatch in 3–4 days and the fry leave the cave about 5 days later, ready for baby brine shrimp and microworms.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Keep one male with two or three females, and give each female a cave of her own.
- Don't mix them with other Apistogramma species. They compete for the same caves.
- Indian almond or oak leaves add cover and tint the water, which helps shy fish settle.
- Add a group of calm tetras or pencilfish as dither fish so the cichlids come out more.
- Double red, triple red and orange flash are color forms of this species and need the same care.
Frequently asked questions
Are cockatoo cichlids good for beginners?
They are one of the easiest Apistogramma species, because captive-bred strains adapt to a wide range of water. They still need clean, stable water and a mostly meaty diet, so they suit keepers with a little experience.
How many cockatoo cichlids should I keep?
Keep one alone, a pair, or one male with two or three females. Two males without females usually fight, and several males need a large tank with many hiding spots.
Will cockatoo cichlids eat shrimp?
Yes. They hunt small animals on the bottom and will eat cherry shrimp and shrimplets. Keep dwarf shrimp in a separate tank.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.