{"product_id":"apistogramma-trifasciata-apistogramma-trifasciata","title":"Apistogramma Trifasciata | Apistogramma trifasciata","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Three-striped Dwarf Cichlid is a slender, elegant apisto in which males trail extended fins and flash electric-blue over the body. Females stay smaller and colour up yellow when breeding. A peaceful but spirited dwarf cichlid for a soft, warm, planted tank, with males reaching around 6 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eApistogramma trifasciata comes from the Paraguay, Guaporé and Paraná river systems of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina, where it lives among plants, roots and leaf litter in shallow, soft, warm water. Fine sand, planting, driftwood and leaf litter recreate its home and encourage natural behaviour and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA streamlined apisto marked by dark lateral and lower stripes, with males developing long, pointed dorsal and pelvic fins and a wash of electric blue over the flanks. Females are smaller and turn bright yellow with dark markings when breeding. Colour and finnage are best in mature males over dark substrate in soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful but can be more assertive than some apistos, becoming territorial around a spawning site. Best kept as a pair or a male with several females in a well-planted tank with plenty of caves and broken sight lines. It mixes well with small, gentle community fish that share its soft, warm water. Avoid crowding rival males into a small tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator that relishes small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, cyclops and micro worms, and takes quality micro pellets and flake. Feed a varied diet in small amounts, using live or frozen foods to condition fish for spawning.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with more space for a harem or community. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.0 and soft water, around GH 1–8. Use fine sand, dense planting, driftwood and small caves, and keep water clean and stable with regular small changes. Completely plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA rewarding cave-spawner. The female lays and tends eggs inside a cave, colouring bright yellow, while the male guards the surrounding territory. Soft, warm, slightly acidic water encourages spawning; rear fry on newly hatched brine shrimp and micro foods. Water chemistry can influence the sex ratio of the brood.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApistogramma trifasciata\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThree-striped (Blue) Dwarf Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParaguay, Guaporé and Paraná basins (Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 6 cm (males); females smaller, around 4–5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro): small live and frozen foods, micro pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 1–8 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft-water planted and blackwater community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include small tetras, pencilfish, rasboras, hatchetfish, peaceful corydoras, otocinclus and other calm soft-water community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large or aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, fin-nippers, and other bottom-dwelling dwarf cichlids in a small tank. Avoid hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232825229603,"sku":"AA1588","price":63.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232825262371,"sku":"AA1588-M","price":73.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/apistogramma-trifasciata-api-43091525337379.webp?v=1790306577","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/apistogramma-trifasciata-apistogramma-trifasciata","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}