Apisto Cacatuoides Double Orange (Pair)

The male Cockatoo or Apistogramma Cacatuoides dwarf cichlid is truly magnificent when he grows to his full two-inch size, but the red bred variation is something else entirely. Females are a bit drabber but still have nice yellow and red coloration. AquariumFish.com pairs these items because the male is happier with a female around and displays his colors better.

Each order comes with one male and one female.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them a heater, a gentle filter, dim lighting and lots of plants, driftwood and leaf litter. Add a cave (a coconut shell or small clay pot) for each female. Most apistos prefer soft, slightly acidic water.

Feeding: Feed small pellets or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: Keep them with small, peaceful fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, otocinclus and corydoras. A calm school of small "dither" fish helps apistos feel safe enough to come out. Keep one male per tank unless it is large and well planted, and avoid large or boisterous fish. Adults may eat small shrimp and baby shrimp.

Breeding: Apistos are cave spawners. The female lays her eggs inside a cave and guards the fry, while the male patrols the territory. One male with several females works well in a planted tank.

Good to know: Tank-bred double orange cockatoos are hardy and adaptable. Males show their tallest fins and brightest orange when a female is present.