Apistogramma Cacatuoides Double Red

Apistogramma Cacatuoides “Double Red”

Apistogramma cacatuoides “Double Red” are one of the most striking dwarf cichlids in the hobby. They are packed with personality, vibrant color, and incredible display behavior in a manageable size. With their fiery red/orange finnage, bold patterning, and constant activity, they make a standout centerpiece for planted community tanks and dedicated South American setups alike.

At Legacy Line Aquatics, these fish are bred and raised in-house by me in a small-scale, care-first setup. I do not source from mass-production fish farms. My focus is on raising healthy fish with clean water, proper nutrition, and attentive day-to-day care, so you receive fish I’d be confident keeping in my own fish room.

Why Hobbyists Love Double Reds

• Brilliant red/orange finnage with strong contrast and flashy display behavior

• A true dwarf cichlid with big personality in a smaller footprint

• Great choice for planted aquariums with structure and cover

• Fascinating social behavior, especially in pairs/trios and breeding setups

• Excellent option for hobbyists wanting color and personality beyond standard community fish

Temperament & Behavior

Apistogramma cacatuoides are intelligent, active, and full of character. Males are especially eye-catching and will display frequently, while females show excellent parental behavior when spawning. Like most dwarf cichlids, they can be territorial, especially around caves or fry, so tank setup and stocking choices matter.

They do best in tanks with:

• Caves/hides (coconut huts, small caves, driftwood pockets)

• Plants and visual breaks

• Gentle flow

• Soft sand or smooth substrate (preferred)

Tank Size (Recommended)

• Single pair: 20 gallon long recommended

• Trio (1 male, 2 females): 20 gallon long minimum, with plenty of caves and separated territories

• Community setup: 29 gallons+ preferred for added space and reduced aggression

Water Temperature

• Ideal range: 76–80°F

• A stable temperature is more important than chasing an exact number

Tank Mates (Good Choices)

Best tank mates are peaceful fish that won’t harass them or outcompete them constantly at feeding time.

Good tank mates may include:

Small peaceful schooling fish (upper/mid water):

• Ember tetras

• Rummy nose tetras

• Cardinal tetras

• Green neon tetras

• Pencilfish (excellent choice)

Avoid:

• Large/aggressive cichlids

• Fin-nippers

• Hyper-aggressive bottom dwellers

• Fish that will heavily invade their cave territory

Feeding

These fish thrive on a varied diet. A rotation of quality foods helps with color, condition, and breeding response.

Recommended foods:

• High-quality micro pellets / small sinking pellets

• Frozen foods (brine shrimp, mysis, bloodworms as treats)

• Live foods (optional, but excellent for conditioning)

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

When you purchase from me, you’re getting fish that were bred and raised in-house, not mass-imported and flipped. I take a small-scale approach so I can focus on:

• Fish health

• Clean systems

• Proper feeding, mixture of high quality sinking pellets, live baby brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and high quality flakes. 

• Parasite free

That matters—especially with dwarf cichlids.

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA policy before ordering.