Above: In the picture, a young Premium Orange Apistogramma Cacatuoides Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are fabulous fish with vibrant colors.

Origin: Apistogrammas are Cichlids whose ancestors lived in the Amazon but now they live in aquariums all over the world. There are several species of Cichlids for sale in this store.

Maximum Size: In aquariums, Apistogrammas can grow to be about 4" long.

Behaviors: Apistogramma are usually semi-aggressive fish and from time to time males have long energetic battles.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include, other South American Cichlid species and Corydoras Catfish.

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Temperature: Apistogrammas live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

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Feeding: Premium Fish Food Pellets is best to feed to Cichlids. Smaller sized pellets when small, and larger sized pellets when bigger, is the ideal food for these fish.

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Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or alkalinity.

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Aquarium Size: Cichlids like this Apistogramma, will eventually need to live in an aquarium with at least 30-gallons of water, but of course bigger is better.

Decor: Apistogrammas do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

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Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, but Cichlids will usually rip plants up, so most Mbuna aquariums do not have live plants, Cichlids love rocks and rocky caves.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended. Most 30-gallon aquariums have room along the back for two Penguin 200B Filters.

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The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range.

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Life Span: Apistogrammas can live for several years. Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they will most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when they are very small, but as they mature the male will color up and the female will become plumper.

Breeding: Apistogrammas females lay their eggs on rocks or in small cavities. The male fertilizes the eggs, and then they protect their eggs from other tankmates.

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Popularity: These fish are very popular in the aquarium hobby.

Names: The scientific name for this fish is Apistogramma cacatuoides. But there may actually be a complex of several subspecies or closely related species.

Variations: There are several variations of the Apistogramma Cacatuoides that may in fact be closely related species or subspecies.