Our Guide To Keeping Double Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Apistogramma cacatuoides
   • Common name: Double Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
   • Family: Cichlidae
   • Origin: South America, specifically the Amazon River basin in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru
   • Adult length: Varies, typically between 5 to 8 centimeters
   • Lifespan: 3 to 5 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Double Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids prefer a well-planted aquarium with plenty of hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and plants like Java Fern and Amazon Sword.
   • Provide soft, slightly acidic water with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 and a temperature between 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F).

3. Water Parameters:

   • Keep the water parameters stable with low to moderate lighting.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use a filtration system that provides gentle to moderate water flow, ensuring good circulation without causing excessive disturbance.

5. Diet:

   • Double Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids are omnivores and will accept a variety of foods including high-quality flakes, pellets, and frozen or live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia.
   • Offer a varied diet to ensure nutritional balance and supplement their diet with occasional treats like small insects and insect larvae.

6. Tank mates:

   • They can be territorial, especially during breeding, so it's best to keep them with peaceful tank mates such as tetras, rasboras, and other small, non-aggressive fish.
   • Avoid keeping them with larger or more aggressive fish that may intimidate or harass them.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Double Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids are generally peaceful but can exhibit territorial behavior, especially when breeding.
   • They do well in a community setup with other small, peaceful fish species.