Cockatoo dwarf cichlid Tank Mates
Short answer: the best cockatoo dwarf cichlid tank mates are Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Platy. Cockatoo cichlids need 72–84 °F (22–29 °C), pH 6–7.5 and at least 20 gallons.
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid care at a glance
| Adult size | 3.1 in (8 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 20 US gallons |
| Temperature | 72–84 °F (22–29 °C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims in | Bottom |
| Group size | Can be kept singly or in pairs |
| Care level | Moderate |
gallon tank
✅ Compatible tank mates (33)
- Betta fish
- Dwarf gourami
- Guppy
- Harlequin rasbora
- Molly
- Platy
- Tiger barb
- Angelfish
- Nerite snail
- Mystery snail
- Black skirt tetra
- Cherry barb
- Honey gourami
- Rummy nose tetra
- Serpae tetra
- Zebra danio
- Pearl gourami
- Swordtail
- Three spot gourami
- Discus
- Bloodfin tetra
- Dwarf neon rainbowfish
- Forktail blue-eye
- Glass catfish
- Lemon tetra
- X-ray tetra
- Buenos Aires tetra
- Congo tetra
- Gold barb
- Odessa barb
- Rosy barb
- Upside-down catfish
- Boesemani rainbowfish
⚠️ Possible with caution (19)
- Bristlenose pleco — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bristlenose pleco.
- Neon tetra — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully neon tetra.
- Amano shrimp — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid may eat small or moulting Amano shrimp.
- Celestial pearl danio — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully celestial pearl danio.
- Chili rasbora — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully chili rasbora.
- Ember tetra — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully ember tetra.
- Endler's livebearer — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully Endler's livebearer.
- Otocinclus — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully otocinclus.
- Panda cory — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase panda cory.
- Bronze cory — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase bronze cory.
- Cardinal tetra — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully cardinal tetra.
- Glowlight tetra — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully glowlight tetra.
- Kuhli loach — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase kuhli loach.
- Clown loach — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase clown loach.
- Pygmy cory — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully pygmy cory.
- Sparkling gourami — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully sparkling gourami.
- Black neon tetra — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid is a much larger territorial fish and may bully black neon tetra.
- Peppered cory — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase peppered cory.
- Sterbai cory — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid defends a territory near the bottom (especially when breeding) and may chase sterbai cory.
❌ Not recommended (19)
- Cherry shrimp — Cockatoo dwarf cichlid will hunt and eat cherry shrimp.
- Fancy goldfish — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Cockatoo dwarf cichlid 22–29 °C (72–84 °F) vs Fancy goldfish 20–23 °C (68–73 °F).
- Oscar — An adult oscar (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat cockatoo dwarf cichlid (8 cm).
- Pea puffer — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- German blue ram — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- White cloud mountain minnow — Coldwater and tropical fish don't mix: Cockatoo dwarf cichlid 22–29 °C (72–84 °F) vs White cloud mountain minnow 14–22 °C (57–72 °F).
- Kribensis — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Electric yellow cichlid — Electric yellow cichlid is a Lake Malawi cichlid: it needs hard, alkaline water and an African-cichlid community, and is too boisterous for cockatoo dwarf cichlid.
- Rainbow shark — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Red tail shark — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Siamese algae eater — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Common pleco — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Paradise fish — No comfortable shared temperature: Cockatoo dwarf cichlid 22–29 °C (72–84 °F) vs Paradise fish 10–22 °C (50–72 °F).
- Convict cichlid — Convict cichlid is aggressive and much larger than cockatoo dwarf cichlid; it will bully or injure it.
- Firemouth cichlid — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Bolivian ram — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Chinese algae eater — Both are territorial and use the same part of the tank, so constant fights are likely.
- Jack Dempsey — An adult Jack Dempsey (up to 25 cm) is big enough to eat cockatoo dwarf cichlid (8 cm).
- Bala shark — An adult bala shark (up to 35 cm) is big enough to eat cockatoo dwarf cichlid (8 cm).
How many cockatoo cichlids per tank?
20 gal 29 gal 40 gal 55 gal 75 gal — see what else fits with our stocking calculator.
FAQ
What fish can live with cockatoo cichlids?
Good matches include Betta fish, Dwarf gourami, Guppy, Harlequin rasbora, Molly, Platy. They share a temperature range with cockatoo cichlids (72–84 °F (22–29 °C)), are a similar temperament, and are not big enough to eat each other or nip fins.
What fish should not live with cockatoo cichlids?
Avoid Cherry shrimp, Fancy goldfish, Oscar, Pea puffer, German blue ram, White cloud mountain minnow.
What size tank do cockatoo cichlids need?
We recommend at least 20 US gallons for one cockatoo dwarf cichlid, more if you add tank mates.
Can cockatoo cichlids live alone?
Yes. Cockatoo cichlids do not need a group, though they can be kept with compatible tank mates.
Note: Compatibility depends on individual temperament, tank size, decor and how fish are introduced. Our verdicts use conservative rules applied to published care data (see methodology). They are guidance, not a guarantee. Quarantine new fish and watch for chasing, torn fins or hiding.