Family: Cichlidae
Distribution: Apistogramma trifasciata is distributed throughout South American waters: the Paraguay River drainage, Brazil’s Guaporé River, and the middle Paraná River drainage in Argentina.
PH: 6 – 6.5 pH
Temperature: 26 – 29°C (79 – 84 F)
Hardness: 2 – 5 dH
Description: The Three-Striped Dwarf Cichlid is a strikingly colourful Apisto. Males can be identified easily due to their tall, red-tipped third to fifth dorsal rays and blue bodies. Females, in contrast, have a yellowish-grey hue which turns much brighter during breeding. The male Apistogramma trifasciata can reach up to 6 cm; females are slightly smaller at 4.5 cm. This species has a life expectancy of 3 – 5 years.
Diet: Apistogramma trifasciata are carnivorous and should be fed small live food. You could feed this species a varied diet of flake, small pellets, mysis, blood worms, brine shrimp and chopped-up shrimps.
Breeding: It is advised, in order to optimise breeding, that you use soft, slightly acidic water in your aquarium. Three-Striped Dwarf Cichlids spawn in caves; the female will tend the eggs as the male overlooks the territory. After the eggs have hatched and the fry is out and about, the female Apistogramma trifascata will continue to protect her brood for a few weeks. If you keep your water conditions true to the recommendations, you will have no problem breeding this species.
Comments: Provide a natural setting by using a planted aquarium. Plenty of rocks and wood will allow the Apistogramma trifasciata females to claim their territory for spawning; make sure you put flowerpots (caves) in each territory. You should keep several females with each male. The Three-Striped Cichlid will hover in the middle areas of your aquarium, so decorate your tank accordingly.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species:
Apistogramma can be great community fish and live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetra and Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Corydoras Catfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppy and Platy and most Gourami (such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio (particularly the Zebra Danio and Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates.
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