High-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods will all be readily accepted. If spawning is desired, tankmates of other species should be kept to a minimum or avoided altogether.įeeding is simple for the unfussy Orange Flash Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid. Dwarf shrimp and other small, delicate invertebrates should not be kept with the Orange Flash Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, but more durable, larger shrimp and snails could possibly make good tankmates in a large enough aquarium. Territoriality is typically at its peak during spawning. This cichlid is generally compatible with other peaceful fish as long as it has plenty of space. They gravitate to shallow, sandy-bottomed regions with dense plant cover. This includes the eastern side of the Andes and throughout the Brazilian rainforests. It is an excellent candidate for the planted aquarium, but it also needs a fair amount of open space. Popular Apistogrammas Dwarf Cichlids In the Wild Apistogrammas frequent slow-moving waters throughout the tropical region of South America. The Orange Flash Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid will thrive in an aquarium with a sandy substrate and plenty of refuges such as clay pots, driftwood, and rock formations.

As with most dwarf cichlids, females are less colorful, but still have an attractive appearance and plenty of personalities. The body is typically a blue-violet sheen with a black horizontal stripe, which makes for a very distinctive and beautiful appearance.

Males are particularly colorful, boasting incredible bright orange coloration on the ample dorsal fin as well as the tail and anal fin. The Orange Flash Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid ( Apistogramma cacatuoides) is one of the most beautifully colored and most popular dwarf cichlids in the freshwater aquarium hobby.

Cockatoo cichlid