Stocking Options - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

[mjk]

Hi,

I currently have a 45 gallon tank stocked with a pair of Cacatuoides as well as about 15 neon tetra.  What are some other fish to consider adding?  I was wanting some yellow, but heard that lemon tetra can turn aggressive.  Appreciate your input!

[anewbie]

Answer depends on if you expect them to breed and if you want the frys to survive....

[Tihshho]

IME Lemon Tetra are less aggressive of a broader bodied Tetra, so I wouldn't be concerned with these being a tankmate. If you were talking about Red Phantom Tetra, then I would advise against it with the current stocking. That said YMMV.

[mjk]

If the fry survive, then great.  But not really planning to bread them.  I heard the neons may even eat the fry. 

[Patrick_G]

How about Sunset Platties for a top level fish? 

[anewbie]

yea. If you want to breed them then avoid tetra in general. pencil fishes are recommended. What I would suggest since breeding is not important are 15 kubotai rasbora (these are not yellow but rather a very attractive green and unlike neon are always in motion); you could get some cw123 which are cory with yellow tipped fins. Being a fish from Peru they like upper 70's or even low 80s. if you skip the cw123 then i would suggest pygmy cory which are not the most attractive but a rather interesting fish and again small. I would consider some oto IF you have a reliable source as they can be a bit fragile. 

 

In general i would make your cockatoo the centerpiece and put smaller fishes around them.

Edited September 15, 2021 by anewbie

[Dkshadowwolf]

I have both Lemon tetras and Red Phantom tetras and have never had aggressive behavior as long as you have six or more. Serpa tetras on the other hand do tend to be a little nippy.