Apistogramma Cacatuoides Double Red 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid Double Red is a line-bred form of Apistogramma cacatuoides in which males carry a tall, spiky crest of dorsal rays plus vivid red and black patterning on both the dorsal and tail fins. Females are smaller and yellow. From the upper Amazon, it is the hardiest and most adaptable Apistogramma, ideal for first-time dwarf cichlid keepers.
- Adult Size: Around 7.5 cm (3 in) for males; females around 5 cm (2 in)
- Lifespan: 3–5 years
Origin
- Native to: Upper Amazon basin: Peru and western Brazil
- Habitat: Slow tributaries and backwaters with leaf litter
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous micro-predator
- Preferred Foods: Micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, live blackworm
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds once or twice daily; frozen or live foods bring out colour and condition breeders
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, otocinclus, corydoras
- Avoid: Other Apistogramma, boisterous fish, fin-nippers, dwarf shrimp
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful towards other species; males spar with each other over territory
- Territoriality: Pairs claim a cave and defend the surrounding area strongly when spawning
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs caves and stable water; females fierce while guarding fry
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard, slightly acidic to neutral
- Temperature: 22–29°C (72–84°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.5 (tank-bred adaptable)
- Hardness: 0–15 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a pair; larger for a harem
Final Notes
Double Reds are tank-bred for generations and cope with harder, neutral water better than most Apistogramma, making them a sound first dwarf cichlid. Keep one male with one or more females and supply several caves, sand and leaf litter. Females spawn in a cave and guard the fry alone, chasing the male, so give him room. The crest and fin colour develop fully as males mature.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.