Im thinking about a pair of Dwarf Cockatoo's

[Satsumas]

I saw some in the shop the other day and they looked nice, i was wandering if anyone has anything to warn me of, or advise me before buying?

I read they like... slow moving water, heavily planted tanks, dark substrate, driftwood.

The only thing i dont have is slow moving water, its not fast at all and they can go to calmer areas of the tank away from the water coming in from the filter.

I tested my Ammonia and Nitrite and there both 0ppm.
I read they are a more hardy cichlid but water quality is still essential.
I do a pwc every 2 weeks but test it every week to check the parameters.

A male and female would be needed im guessing?

I also read they are a peacefull cichlid and wont uproot plants.
They are in a tank with tetra's in the shop and i have black neons & danios so everything seems fine to me.

I have a 20 gal tank
Rena Filstar XP2 External Filter (my tank is heavily overfiltered, water is clear as day)
Fish : 3 danios, 1 clown pleco, 1 female bristlenose pleco, 3 yoyo loaches, 5 black neons.

 

[Satsumas]

Bump

 

[Jchillin]

It seems to me that you have everything covered. They are indeed a nice addition to a planted tank and will display similar characteristics of other SA dwarf cichlids (apistos). They will do better with soft acidic water. A m/f is not absolutely necessary.

 

[Satsumas]

I bought a pair today a male and a female, they have been in my tank for about an hour now i can only see one though.

Im not sure if it is the male or female, i looked all over the tank to see the other one but its nowhere.

I read that they like caves to hide in, i have a few hiding places but they are taken up by my loaches and anything that swims by gets chased away.

Is this normal for a new cockatoo, i've never had a problem like this before with any other fish