New Pair of Cockatoo Cichlids

[FoundMoney]

congrats on your new cockatoos, you're going to love them. they'll get used to you soon. every time i get near the tank it seems like all their little faces are pressed against the glass begging.

I think they've already figured out I'm the one that gives them food!

 

[Griz]

When I first got mine, one female immediately took up a spot under a large peice of driftwood. Just as you said, I was surprised that she could fit up under there. Well, a week or so later I had free-swimming fry! I was caught totally unprepared for them and none survived unfortunatley. I think they were picked off by their tank-mates. Cockatoos seem to breed quite readily if they are happy, mine have made several attempts. The courtship behaviour is very interesting to watch. I have a spare 15g that I hope to set up as a breeding tank in the future.

Getting good pictures of my male has proved difficult too. I think the trick is to set up a tripod and focus on a spot where he tends to hang out. Then wait... and wait... and wait.

 

[FoundMoney]

Getting good pictures of my male has proved difficult too. I think the trick is to set up a tripod and focus on a spot where he tends to hang out. Then wait... and wait... and wait.

This is so true. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to try and get a good shot right now. I do have some not-so-good quality shots to show you for now though.

First, here's my tank as of today (it's still going through changes!)

As you can see, there should be adequate cover for them to feel secure.

Here's a few shots of the male.

The color and focus are all wrong but at least you get an idea of what he looks like. The pictures show his dorsal fin and tail as red but I'd say they are much more orange. I don't have time to fiddle with color correction right now and who knows if I'd get it right any way.

I hope to have some better shots soon when I have more time. I'd love to set up a tripod in front of the tank, put on some good tunes, maybe grab a cold beer, and just hang out all afternoon. Yeah, like that will ever happen!

 

[FoundMoney]

OK, now I'm a little worried about the little guy. Most of the afternoon he has been sitting in a little hiding spot between some rocks and amongst some plants, barely moving. In fact, I can't believe how still he is. Previously, he was moving about the tank, occaisonally rubbing up against the female. Perhaps, she spurned his advances and now he's sulking. Someone please tell me that this is normal behavior for a new cockatoo and that I'm just being a nervous new papa.

 

[Dwarfs]

Change the water, that usually gets my fish to perk up

 

[lucky62]

your Apisto looks like what I've seen called "Orange Flash ".

Has your tank fully cycled ? Apistos are very sensitive to ammonia build up .

He wouldn't sulk , when a females around males pretty much have a 1 track mind .


Nice looking set up

 

[fufanu360]

so found money.... and apistos

hope he pulls through

 

[FoundMoney]

You guys aren't very encouraging. I wanted you to say something like "it's only been 48 hours. He's just getting used to the tank" or some other encouraging words.

My tank cycled about six weeks ago. I've been slowly adding fish, a little at a time, and carefully monitoring tank conditions at least once a week and then backing that up by bringing tank water to my lfs. Ammonia and nitrites are at 0, Nitrates are at 5.

I've also been doing weekly water changes of about 20% on a weekly basis. I did a 25% change two days before I knew I was getting the fish so the water would be as close to ideal as possible. I know how sensitive apistos can be.

Hopefully, he's just chilling out. He just looks like he's sleeping. He's not breathing heavy or anything. He doesn't have any marks on him so I'm hoping for the best.

 

[fufanu360]

im not trying to be unencouragin, but apistos are sorta fragile...


im SURE he will be fine

 

[pnyklr3]

My guy occasionally just hangs out in the same spot for awhile. He doesn't lay on the gravel or decorations, he just sort of "hovers" in the same spot close to the bottom.

 

[FoundMoney]

your Apisto looks like what I've seen called "Orange Flash ".

That's what I thought, too.

Thanks for the compliment, by the way. I'm pretty happy with the tank except for the hair algae! YIKES

Incidently, the male finally moved and the female came around. Now their both hanging together quietly in the bushes. I think I know why the fish got a little skittish again. My two year old daughter just came home for the first time since the fish arrived. She means well but she gets very excited around the fish tank. Hopefully, they'll get used to each other and all three will calm down.

One other thing I've noticed, the male seems to be a lot more cautious than the female. Is that common or is the temperment up to each individual fish?

 

[lucky62]

You guys aren't very encouraging. I wanted you to say something like "it's only been 48 hours. He's just getting used to the tank" or some other encouraging words.

My tank cycled about six weeks ago. I've been slowly adding fish, a little at a time, and carefully monitoring tank conditions at least once a week and then backing that up by bringing tank water to my lfs. Ammonia and nitrites are at 0, Nitrates are at 5.

I've also been doing weekly water changes of about 20% on a weekly basis. I did a 25% change two days before I knew I was getting the fish so the water would be as close to ideal as possible. I know how sensitive apistos can be.

Hopefully, he's just chilling out. He just looks like he's sleeping. He's not breathing heavy or anything. He doesn't have any marks on him so I'm hoping for the best.

Sorry foundmoney , the ammonia thing is worst case scenario, and you're o.k then .

Have you put a net or done anything inside the tank , my guy wouldn't come for almost a whole day after I netted out one of his tank mates , again pretty extreme .

Maybe he is just chilling .

It's hard to say , without seeing , are his fin clamped or not ?

Have his lights been on long ?

Probably nothing .

Fufanu , many apistos are fragile , Cockatoos are an exception here .

EDIT: I was writting while you were posting , everything is O.K then , spooked by child that'll do it .

 

[FoundMoney]

im not trying to be unencouragin, but apistos are sorta fragile...


im SURE he will be fine

LOL! Thanks a lot.

I know they're delicate that's why I'm a little nervous. I've been VERY careful about keeping up my water quality. Hopefully, if I keep doing what I'm doing nothing will change. I've also read about a lot of people losing their otos and so far all three of mine look great, so maybe that's some encouraging news.

 

[FoundMoney]

My guy occasionally just hangs out in the same spot for awhile. He doesn't lay on the gravel or decorations, he just sort of "hovers" in the same spot close to the bottom.

Good to know. That's exactly what he's doing. It's almost spooky how this fish can just hover in one spot, barely moving. Actually, he's moved since my last post so I can rest easier tonight.

 

[lucky62]

One other thing I've noticed, the male seems to be a lot more cautious than the female. Is that common or is the temperment up to each individual fish?

I think so , He's looking at the whole scene , she tends to the nest , If you get what I mean .