Pro100 L
Cockatoo apistogramma pair (100 L)
Dwarf cichlids: a pair defends territory and raises fry before your eyes.
Apistogramma cacatuoides — the most accessible dwarf cichlid. Males up to 8 cm with showy fins, females 5 cm.
A pair picks a grotto or coconut half for spawning. Cardinal tetras as dither fish calm them; shrimp clean.
Dimensions
80×40×35 cm
Temperature
24–28°C
pH
5.5–7
gH
1–8 °dGH
Setup time
8 wks
Budget
≈ $550
Total fish
19
Fish (19)
Plants (7)
- Dwarf Anubias× 4
- Java Fern× 3
Setup Checklist
Essential gear and water prep needed before adding fish
0 of 9 ready
- ≈ $110
- ≈ $28
- ≈ $6ThermometerCare
- ≈ $70
- ≈ $50White quartz sandBase
- ≈ $280
- ≈ $12Water conditioner (dechlorinator)Essential
Seachem Prime or Tetra AquaSafe — instantly detoxifies chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals
- ≈ $25Liquid drop test kit (pH, NH₃/NH₄, NO₂, NO₃)Recommended
API Freshwater Master Test Kit or liquid drop tests to monitor nitrogen cycle
- ≈ $15Fish net & gravel vacuum siphonCare
Soft fish net matched to fish size + gravel vacuum siphon for weekly 20–30% water changes
Decor
- Natural driftwood (mangrove or mopani)× 3
- Catappa (Indian almond) leaves× 8
- Ceramic grotto / cave× 2
Tips & gotchas
- One pair per 100 L — more pairs = territory wars.
- Vary the diet: bloodworm + brine shrimp + quality pellets. They are picky.
- Cardinals are essential dither — without them the pair hides.
- If the female turns yellow and guards a corner — spawning is imminent.