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🐟 Fish · size Medium

Apistogramma cacatuoides

fish

Photo · Wikipedia FR (CC BY-SA)

Weight

5–30 kg

Size

Medium

Lifespan

3–8 ans

Energy

Moyen

Maintenance

Faible

Training

Faible

Apistogramma cacatuoides is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae. It was described by Dr. Jacobus Johannes Hoedeman in 1951. Like all species in this genus, it is considered a dwarf cichlid.

Profile

At a glance

Energy

Modéré

Trainability

Faible

Maintenance

Faible

Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.

⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds

L'essentiel

  • 1Medium size (5–30 kg) — balance between presence and practicality.
  • 2Lifespan: 3 to 8 years on average, depending on maintenance and diet.
  • 3Moderate energy — 30 to 60 minutes of activity per day is sufficient.
  • 4Minimal maintenance — low shedding, occasional brushing.

Chapter 1

Getting to know the Apistogramma cacatuoides

Character

Daily temperament

Apistogramma cacatuoides is a polygamous fish very jealous of its territory; a male can have up to five females at the same time and will defend each one's territory. It is possible to maintain a trio in a tank of about a hundred liters, however in this configuration one of the two females may be brutalized by the other; in this case you can remove her and settle for a pair. A female can claim a territory of about thirty square centimeters; it is preferable to place roots, plants or any other decoration to clearly delimit territories. Dense vegetation is very appreciated. The Cockatoo Cichlid is an easy fish; it has no particular drawbacks, which makes it an ideal fish for beginners wanting to start breeding cichlids.

Physical

Breed standard

Its flanks are olive to greenish colored and each adorned with a dark horizontal stripe. During spawning, females take on a yellow color. Its fins are very developed. It owes its name to the shape of its highly developed dorsal fin resembling a cockatoo's crest. A thick black line connects the edge of the eye to the base of the tail. Another crosses obliquely across the cheek, starting below the eye and ending at the bottom of the cheek. The dorsal and caudal fins have red, orange or yellow ocelli on a black background depending on color varieties. The first rays of the dorsal are particularly developed and form a tuft. The caudal is lyre-shaped. The pelvic fins are yellow and blue, the pectoral fins are transparent yellow. The anal can take on the pattern of the dorsal and caudal. The colors and patterns of the coat can change according to situations. Unlike the female who has a very small mouth, the male's is very wide and thick. When he opens it, it is very impressive. He uses this strategy to impress intruders.

Living conditions

What living situation?

This fish is found in the Río Ucayali and a few of its small tributaries as well as in the Peruvian part of the Amazon (region of the city of Pucallpa). It lives in calm areas with weak current.

Chapter 2

Daily life

What if you adopted your future companion?

The Apistogramma cacatuoides of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of apistogramma cacatuoides (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.

Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.

Âge

What human age for a apistogramma cacatuoides ?

The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 3–8 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.

3 years
Birth9 years

Equivalent human age

52years

Mature

Metabolism slows down. Monitor weight and early signs of joint stiffness, and have teeth checked.

Estimate: Proportional estimate: a reference life expectancy of 5 years, scaled to an 80-year human life. No reference veterinary table exists for this species.

These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.

Alert

To avoid for fish

Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.

  • Pacific tunaModerate
  • Copper sulphateModerate
  • red meatModerate
  • breadLow

Nutrition

Feed your pet well

It prefers live food, but accepts frozen or dry food as long as it is varied and of good quality.

Calculator · daily ration

How much to give a apistogramma cacatuoides ?

Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for fish. Adjust according to package recommendations.

18 kg
5 kg33 kg
Moderate

Result

225 g

per day · 719 kcal

113 g / repas (2 par jour)

Calculation for food of 320 kcal/100g.

For an exact calculation for your Apistogramma cacatuoides (breed, age, allergies, health conditions): create a free account

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Apistogramma cacatuoides

How long does an Apistogramma cacatuoides live?+
Average lifespan: 3 to 8 years depending on maintenance conditions.
Is Apistogramma cacatuoides suitable for beginners?+
Inform yourself carefully before adoption: each species has specific needs (temperature, humidity, diet, space).
What basic equipment should you prepare?+
Aquarium suited to adult size, filtration, heating if tropical, lighting, plants/decor, water test kit.

If you like this fish

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For more information

Sources & official links

Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.

The right score for your Apistogramma cacatuoides.

SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.