How do I set up a cockatoo community?

[kacie]

I'm getting a 33 gallon long tank and want to do a Dwarf cichlid community tank. Any suggestions are welcome! How many cockatoos? What is a good ratio M/F? There is conflicting info on dither fish? Could I put my Bolivian rams in the community? Will they be okay with cories?

[Chase J]

Cockatoos are one of the few cichlids that are not aggressive. Try to get larger cories though just in case. I'm sure you could do rams but just watch for signs of aggression.

[NUMB3RS]

I want cockatoo cichlids as well but i cant see them any where!

[Chase J]

Yeah i know and there like a hundred dollars a couple

[TedsTank]

If you live in the Maryland area, there are LFS near Baltimore that carry several types of appistos. I just recently got some cockatoo for 25 each. They also had some types that i could not identify by the names they were using, and of course the males sell faster than the females.

[platy ben]

I have a trio and they get along fine with guppys so they are ok with small fish.

Its best to have atleast 1 male to 2 or 3 females.

[cerianthus]

Originally Posted by TedsTank

If you live in the Maryland area, there are lfs near Baltimore that carry several types of appistos. I just recently got some cockatoo for 25 each. They also had some types that i could not identify by the names they were using, and of course the males sell faster than the females.

Ouch! $50/pair. Are Apistos that hard to come by? It shouldnt be. I stopped breeding in late 90's cuz more supply than demand.
Try google for Atlantis Tropical in upstate NY. I dont know how big the order has to be but can get Apistos as low as $16/pair. Should have few varieties and if you are looking for specific APistos, request.

[platy ben]

my trio of cockatoos were £18 which is around $25

[cerianthus]

Originally Posted by platy ben

my trio of cockatoos were £18 which is around $25

There you go, you got a good deal, maybe fish came from local breeders.
It shouldnt be $50/pair unless new fish or new color morph, IMO. Some highly sought after color morph will cost bit more such as triple Reds (maybe around $20/pair)

[platy ben]

I think mine are a type of red but im not sure.

I think they would get along fine with bolivian rams

[cerianthus]

Originally Posted by platy ben

I think mine are a type of red but im not sure.

I think they would get along fine with bolivian rams

No, i would not recommends Bolivian Rams, even in 33G (48" long). APistos are very passive fish thus constant harrassment by Bolivian may be too much, IMO.