Species › Cichlids

Cockatoo dwarf cichlid tank mates and minimum tank size

Apistogramma cacatuoides

Cockatoo dwarf cichlids grow to 7.5 cm (3 in). They need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F) and pH 6.0.

Minimum tank

54 L (14 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

7.5 cm (3 in)

Temperature

24–25 °C (75–77 °F)

pH

pH 6.0

Group

no minimum

Cockatoo dwarf cichlid minimum tank size

Cockatoo dwarf cichlids need at least 54 L (14 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 7.5 cm (3 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (30 cm (12 in)).

Cockatoo dwarf cichlid tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against cockatoo dwarf cichlids by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (0)

None of the species in this reference is a straightforward match.

With care (25)

• Black neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Bronze corydorasThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by bronze corydoras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Clown loachThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by clown loaches and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Congo tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiThe only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by dwarf gouramis and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Ember tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras (2 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger cockatoo dwarf cichlids (7.5 cm).
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Glowlight tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Harlequin rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• KribensisThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and kribensis are one of them. Kribensis fight other cichlids, and cockatoo dwarf cichlids are one of them.
• Kuhli loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Lemon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Panda corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Pearl gouramiThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Serpae tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Tiger barbThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Yoyo loachThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids and zebra danios. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (27)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Angelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and angelfish are one of them.
• BettaBettas need pH 6.8–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 24.4–25 °C (76–77 °F), set by bettas and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as cockatoo dwarf cichlids, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos need pH 6.5–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios need pH 6.5–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Celestial pearl danios (2.1 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger cockatoo dwarf cichlids (7.5 cm).
• Cherry shrimpCherry shrimp need pH 6.5–8.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids (7.5 cm) usually leave adult cherry shrimp (4 cm) alone but eat the young.
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras need pH 6.5–7.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25 °C (77 °F), set by chili rasboras and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so cockatoo dwarf cichlids would be harassed. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and convict cichlids are one of them.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and discus are one of them.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need pH 7.0–8.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both. Endler's livebearers (2.5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger cockatoo dwarf cichlids (7.5 cm).
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); cockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and German blue rams are one of them. German blue rams fight other cichlids, and cockatoo dwarf cichlids are one of them.
• GoldfishCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• GuppyGuppies need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Nerite snailNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; cockatoo dwarf cichlids grow to 7.5 cm. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin. Cockatoo dwarf cichlids fight other cichlids, and oscars are one of them.
• Paradise fishCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Peppered corydorasCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• PlatyPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras need pH 6.4–7.4; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Red tail sharkRed tail sharks need pH 6.5–7.5; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Rosy barbCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterSiamese algae eaters need pH 6.5–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• SwordtailSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank