Cockatoo cichlid "extra red" - Apistogramma cacatuoides - male

The beautifully colored bright red Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides "extra red" is one of several breeding forms of the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, a dwarf cichlid from South America and aquarium fish with a long tradition. The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid is easy to maintain if you take a few things to heart.

The males of the extra red color form have particularly intense red brightly colored fins with a fine black line pattern. The fins of the females are orange red. The females also have a rounded caudal fin and generally shorter fins. The basic body color of this cockatoo dwarf cichlid variety is gray to golden, with a gray to black mid-length stripe that begins in front behind the eye and ends at the base of the caudal fin. The belly of the extra red cockatoo dwarf cichlid is yellow. On the head, male extra red cockatoo dwarf cichlids display a pattern of fine shimmering turquoise short stripes. Apistogramma cacatuoides "extra red" grow up to 7 cm long, with females remaining slightly smaller. In addition to size and more intense coloration, you can also recognize males by their longer extended caudal fin with a prominent tip at the top and bottom. Low-ranking, weak males, however, do not show these characteristics - they look more or less like females as long as stronger rivals are around.

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids are found in nature in pools and slow-moving waters in clear water, usually over foliage-covered bottoms. In the aquarium, the extra red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid likes a dark substrate covered with some foliage and rather little current. Because the colorful little cichlids like to hide, you should provide them with caves as hiding places. Apistogramma cacatuoides "extra red" likes swimming space in the center of the aquarium, although the edges can be well planted for more hiding places.

It is best to keep Apistogramma cacatuoides "extra red" as a pair or in a harem. In this case you associate one male with 4-6 females. For a pair an aquarium from 60 cm edge length is sufficient, for harem keeping aquariums from 100 cm edge length have proven themselves. The breeding area of a female is about 30x40 cm. In each territory should be at least one cave. The male swims all the breeding territories and so guards his females. Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids can live about 3 years in the aquarium.

Extra Red Cockatoo Cichlids, unlike most other dwarf cichlids from South America, can be kept not only in soft water, but also in slightly harder water, with a pH value between 6 and 8. A pH of 7 to 8 and a water temperature between 24-29 °C in the aquarium are recommended for Apistogramma cacatuoides "extra red". The dwarf cichlids depend on clean water with the lowest possible organic load, so regular water changes are absolutely mandatory for the successful care of the extra red cockatoo dwarf cichlid. A high performance filter can also contribute to the well-being of these pretty colorful cichlids.

Socialization with surface oriented ornamental fish or with small to medium sized catfish suits the extra red cockatoo dwarf cichlid very nicely - these small ornamental fish are ideal for a South America aquarium. Socialization with dwarf shrimp or dwarf crayfish will not work, these animals will become food for the Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - even in nature Apistogramma cacatuoides likes to search for small crustaceans.

The Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid likes to eat sinking live food, freeze-dried food or frozen food in the aquarium. Alternatively, a special food for carnivorous cichlids, such as our NatureHolic Cichfeed Granules, is also suitable. The Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids do not nibble on plants.

Breeding the particularly attractive Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid is not difficult. Apistogramma cacatuoides is a cave breeder. The females spawn in the cave and guard and care for their clutches there. The male, on the other hand, swims off the territory and guards his females. It is quite efficient in preventing predators from preying on the spawn. The larvae of these colorful dwarf cichlids hatch after only 2 days and swim free after only 5 days. The female continues to guide the fry for quite a while, making sure they do not leave the breeding area. Feed the young Extra Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlids initially best with infusoria and artemia euplii, copepods and microworms.