Fish comparison
Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid vs Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
How the Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid compare on care, size, water and temperament, and which fish suits your tank.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid vs Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
The Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid are close cousins, both in the Apistogramma group, so at a glance they ask for a lot of the same things. Both are happy somewhere around 24 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 7, so a single tank can suit either one. Neither is harder than the other to keep, so the choice comes down to look and stocking rather than skill. Read the full care notes on each below and pick the one whose look and pace fit the tank you're building.
Group compatibility overview
Excellent fit
Every key parameter overlaps and no major conflicts surfaced.
Temperature
- Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid24–28 °C
- Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid24–28 °C
pH
- Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid5–7
- Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid5.5–7.5
Hardness
- Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid1–10 dGH
- Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid2–15 dGH
Full attributes
Every parameter, side by side| Parameter |  FishAgassiz's Dwarf CichlidApistogramma agassizii |  FishCockatoo Dwarf CichlidApistogramma cacatuoides |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Fish | Fish |
| Origin | Amazon basin, Brazil, Peru, Colombia | Upper Amazon basin, Peru & Brazil |
| Family | Cichlidae | Cichlidae |
| Temperature | 24–28 °C | 24–28 °C |
| pH | 5.0–7.0 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–10 | 2–15 |
| Flow rate | Low | Low |
| Min tank | 75 L (pair) | 75 L (pair) |
| Adult size | 5–9 cm (male), 4–5 cm (female) | 6–8 cm (male), 4–5 cm (female) |
| Difficulty | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Lifespan | 3–5 yrs | 3–5 yrs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Water column | Mid to Bottom | Mid to Bottom |
| Schooling | Harem (1 male, 2–3 females) | Harem (1 male, 2–3 females) |
| Plant safe | Yes | Yes |
| Shrimp safe | Risky with dwarf shrimp | Risky with dwarf shrimp |
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Can you keep Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid together?
Yes. Their temperature and pH ranges overlap around 24 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 7, so one set of water conditions keeps both comfortable. Match group sizes and cover the usual planted-tank basics and they share a tank fine.
Which is easier to keep, the Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid or the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid?
They sit at the same care level, both middle-of-the-road, so neither is the obvious beginner pick. The decision is really about the look you're after.
Do Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid need the same water?
Close to it. Aim for 24 to 28 °C and pH 5.5 to 7 and you're in the shared sweet spot for both. Full ranges are in the table above.
What's the main difference between the Agassiz's Dwarf Cichlid and the Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid?
It comes down to look, size and pace rather than one being flatly better. The table above lays the numbers out row by row.