Apistogramma cacatuoides
Apistogramma cacatuoides
The Apistogramma cacatuoides (Apistogramma cacatuoides) is a peaceful but territorial when breeding fish that's a good step up once you have a little experience. Give it a tank of at least 75 litres (20 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America (Amazon basin)
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Apistogramma cacatuoides Tank Setup
Give them at least 75 litres (20 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-82°F and a pH around 6-7.5.
What Do Apistogramma cacatuoides Eat?
They have small mouths, so stick to small foods: crushed flake, fine granules, and now and then a treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Anything too large simply gets ignored.
Apistogramma cacatuoides Tank Mates
Males territorial with other males and cichlids during breeding; provide caves and sand substrate. Keep 1 male to 2-3 females. Avoid with aggressive or boisterous tankmates. One of the most popular and hardy Apistogramma species - tank-bred specimens tolerate wider parameters. The Apistogramma cacatuoides is peaceful but territorial when breeding, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Apistogramma cacatuoides Good for Beginners?
Doable once you test water regularly and catch problems before fish look sick. If this is your first tank, pick something more forgiving and come back later.
Apistogramma cacatuoides - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Apistogramma cacatuoides need?
Apistogramma cacatuoides need a tank of at least 75 litres (20 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Apistogramma cacatuoides need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Apistogramma cacatuoides eat?
Apistogramma cacatuoides have small mouths, so they need small foods. Crushed flake and fine granules form the staple, with the occasional treat of frozen or live foods such as daphnia or baby brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Apistogramma cacatuoides good for beginners?
Apistogramma cacatuoides are best for keepers with a little experience. They are manageable once you test water regularly and catch problems early; a complete beginner may prefer something more forgiving first.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Apistogramma cacatuoides
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Plakat BettaPredator - Plakat Betta will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Tiger BarbFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
