Apistogramma cacatuoides Super Red Care Guide - Setup, Diet & Breeding

Apistogramma cacatuoides, commonly known as the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, is a small but striking South American cichlid. The super red form is a selectively bred colour variety recognised for its intense red-orange fins, especially the elongated dorsal fin, while the body may show yellow, orange and red tones with dark markings. Colour intensity varies between individual fish and breeding lines.

Apistogramma cacatuoides originates from the upper Amazon basin of South America, particularly tributaries and slow-moving waters in Peru. It inhabits shallow forest streams, backwaters and pools with dense vegetation, leaf litter and submerged wood.

A pair or small harem should be kept in an aquarium of at least 60 litres, with a footprint of around 60 by 30 cm; a larger tank is preferable for a male with multiple females or a community setup. Use fine sand or smooth small-grain substrate, along with caves, coconut shells, ceramic shelters, driftwood, leaf litter and dense plants to create broken lines of sight. Gentle filtration, subdued lighting and open areas for foraging help recreate its quiet, structured stream habitat.

Males reach a maximum of about 8 cm (3.1 inches), while females are smaller at approximately 5 cm (2 inches).

This carnivorous-leaning omnivore thrives on a varied diet of high-quality small pellets or granules supplemented with frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Small portions offered regularly suit its modest size, and young fish benefit particularly from frequent feeds of appropriately tiny live foods.

Suitable tankmates include peaceful small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, hatchetfish, small Corydoras and other calm bottom-dwelling species that occupy different areas of the aquarium. Avoid large, boisterous or aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species and other territorial dwarf cichlids. A male may become strongly territorial when spawning, so cramped aquariums and multiple males should be avoided unless the layout provides ample separate territories.

Apistogramma cacatuoides are cave spawners and are most readily bred in a mature, peaceful aquarium with suitable caves and clean, slightly acidic to neutral water. The female lays her eggs inside a sheltered cavity, where she guards and fans them. She also protects the free-swimming fry while the male usually defends the surrounding territory. Feed the parents and young with appropriately sized live or frozen foods; newly free-swimming fry can be raised on infusoria or other very small foods before moving on to baby brine shrimp.

Males are larger and more vividly coloured, with extended dorsal and caudal-fin rays and a more prominent, pointed dorsal fin. Females are smaller and rounder-bodied, usually yellowish during breeding, with shorter fins and stronger dark markings when guarding a brood.