Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlids

[tear-scar]

Partly because of Freshmike's bad influence, and partly because my LFs recently brought in one of the most beautiful and stunning batches I have ever seen, I now have a pair of Dwarf Cockatoo cichlids (apistogramma cockutoides) in my 10g tank.

I am pretty sure I have a male female pair. The male is simply stunning. I'm thinking of breeding of course.

In the bag:

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

hard to see their colours but they look rather interesting

 

[pnyklr3]

Any pics out of the bag yet? I'm interested in seeing both of their colors!

 

[tear-scar]

I have taken some photos, but they kind of suck . . . currently the two have established the log exposed on the left side of the tank (see sig) as their territory, and often dart under if I come close. I'll try to get some better photos soon . . . yeah, the first really doesn't do much justice. These are from the "Double Red" strain (I think) so you can look them up, though each apisto looks quite unique in my opinion . . .

 

[pnyklr3]

I may be wrong, but I think the male is a triple red. I think that to qualify as a triple red, it has to have red on the dorsal, tail and pelvic (is that what it's called? the one on the belly closest to the tail) fins. They don't need to be completely covered in read I believe.

My cockatoos were very shy at first and I didn't see them very much (especially the females) for a few days. But now that they are established, they come up to the front of the tank when I sit nearby!

 

[freshmike]

Awesome! I love being a bad influence! They look great!

 

[lucky62]

I may be wrong, but I think the male is a triple red.  I think that to qualify as a triple red, it has to have red on the dorsal, tail and pelvic (is that what it's called? the one on the belly closest to the tail) fins.  They don't need to be completely covered in read I believe.

My cockatoos were very shy at first and I didn't see them very much (especially the females) for a few days.  But now that they are established, they come up to the front of the tank when I sit nearby!

I think you're right , pnyklr3 , mine was sold to me as a triple red , tale , dorsal , and anal fins all have red on them .


At any rate you have some nice looking fish , Tear .

How big are they ?

Are the male and female the same size ?

My female was about 1/2 the size of her mate .

Sometimes young undeveloped males look much like females , this was the case a few weeks ago for me when I found about 10 cockatoos in a tank at a local shop , I thought great a female . Upon a closer look both the shop owner a my self agreed it was small undeveloped male , they were all males I need 2 females for my male [ He wore out his original mate R.I.P ] .

 

[tear-scar]

They're the same in size, a little more than an inch in length. You guys are probably right about the triple red thing now tha think about it. They are shy, always darting into the back if I get close. However, if I stay a couple feet away or make slow movments, they come out a lot. The male especially has already figured out he's king of the tank, despite the fact that he's only slightly bigger than my harlequin rasboras.

Here's a shot of the male: