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Cichlids
/ South America / Dwarf Cichlids / Blue Apistogramma
Blue Apistogramma, Three-Stripe Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma trifasciata | Pictures
Synonyms: Apistogramma
trifasciatum, Biotodoma trifasciatum, Heterogramma trifasciatum
Physical description: An elongated fish with its first rays being very similar to those of the Cockatoo Dwarf
Cichlid.
These rays are pointed and usually tipped with red.
The red tips actually continue on all
the rays.
The rest of the dorsal fin is dark violet in color.
The caudal fin is rounded and has a
red tinge.
The anal fin is violet-red, while the pelvic fins in white and elongated.
The body is whitish-yellow in color
and marked with three lateral stripes.
The first runs along the base of the dorsal fin; the second runs from
the snout, through the eye, and to the caudal fin; the third runs near the belly.
Size/Length: Males to 2.3" (6 cm), females to 1.5" (4 cm)
Similar species: None
Habitat: Inhabits black water lagoons and ponds along that have leafy bottom.
South America; Southwestern Brazil in
the headwaters of the Paraguay and the Guapore Rivers.
S: bottom
Aquarium: A tank measuring 32" (81 cm) with a capacity of 30 gallons (114 L) is fine for a
harem of fish.
Be sure to provide a cave or flower pot for each female.
Follow suggestions for
A. borellii
.
Water chemistry: pH 5-7.2 (6.5), 0-12 dH (3), 79-84°F (26-29°F)
Social behavior: A territorial fish that should be kept in a ratio of three to four female to every
one male.
This species is peaceful, outside of the spawning season, towards other fishes.
Males form harems.
Suggested companions: Corydoras
, tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, Loricarids.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, insects, insect larvae; finely chopped meat; possibly flakes.
SEX: Males are larger, more colorful, and have more elaborate fins.
While caring for the brood the female
may develop a bright yellow body color.
Breeding techniques: 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).
Follow suggestions for other
Apistogramma species.
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.
Breeding potential: 7.
A moderately difficult fish to breed.
Remarks: Perform only partial water changes as this species is sensitive to changes in water
conditions.
Difficulty of care: 6.
A fish that requires live foods in its diet.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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