The Apistogramma cacatuoides Double Red is a captive-bred colour strain of the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid — one of the most widely kept and beloved species in the entire Apistogramma genus. The Double Red variety is distinguished by vivid red to orange-red colouration on both the dorsal fin spines (which, in the wild type, are characteristically elongated like a cockatoo's crest) and the caudal fin, set against a warm golden-yellow body.
A. cacatuoides is native to the Amazon lowlands of Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, where it inhabits warm, slow-moving streams and flooded forest areas with sandy substrates and abundant leaf litter. It is notably more adaptable than most Apistogramma species, tolerating a wider range of water hardness and pH — a quality that is retained in the Double Red captive-bred strain. This adaptability makes it the most commonly recommended Apistogramma for aquarists new to the genus.
Males are significantly larger than females and develop the characteristic enlarged dorsal spine rays that give the species its common name. Females are small, yellow, and intensely coloured when guarding fry. Both sexes exhibit fascinating cichlid personality and parental behaviour. The Double Red's robust constitution, manageable size, and spectacular colour make it an outstanding choice for beginner to intermediate aquarists.
