Apistogramma trifasciata
| Common Names: | Blue Apistogramma Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid |
| Synonyms: | Apistogramma trifasciatum Biotodoma trifasciatum Heterogramma trifasciatum |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Category: | Cichlids |
| Distribution: | America - South; leaf littered black water lagoons |
| Main Ecosystem: | River; headwaters of the Paraguay & Guapore rivers in Brazil |
| Temperament: | Territorial; A territorial fish that should be kept in a ratio of three to four females to every one male. This species is peaceful, outside of the spawning season, towards other fishes. Males form harems. |
| Diet: | Carnivore; blood worms, white worms, brine shrimp, insects, and flakes |
| Care: | This is a typical dwarf dwarf cichlid that can get territorial when spawning. Provide lots of caves and territory for each female and keep several females to one male. This fish is sensitive to drastic changes in water parameters, so perform only partial water changes as necessary taking care to use water with the same parameters. This fish will appreciate live food in it's diet. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 5.8cm (2.3") Female: 3.8cm (1.5") |
| Water Region: | Middle, Bottom; likes to hide in caves along the bottom of the tank. |
| Activity: | Diurnal |
| Gender: | Males are larger, more colorful, and have more elaborate fins. Females are small and a little drab, but while caring for the brood the female may develop a bright yellow body color. |
| Breeding: | Use water with a pH from 6.0-6.5, a water hardness of 1-4 dH, and a temperature from 82-86°F (28-30°C) and a good selection of caves for the females to choose from. The female lays up to 100 eggs which are very carefully cared for. The fry will be guarded for several weeks after they are free-swimming. Females may steal other female's broods. Occasionally, females may round up groups of Daphnia to care for, when they have lost or failed to produce a brood. Start feeding with Artemia nauplii. |
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| Main Colours: | Blue, Yellow |
| Markings: | Striped Horizontal |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Convex |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | © FishProfiles.com |
| Submitted By: | crazyred |
| Contributors: | crazyred |
| History: | View changes to this profile |
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