Three-striped Dwarf Cichlid

The Three-striped dwarf cichlid is a slender, elegant Apistogramma from the southern Amazon and the Paraguay and Guapore basins across Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, favoring soft, warm waters among vegetation and leaf litter. Named for the dark longitudinal stripe combined with lateral markings, dominant males develop dramatically extended dorsal-fin rays and sky-blue flanks flushed with yellow. It is a peaceful, small species suited to well-planted community aquaria with soft-water tankmates such as small tetras and pencilfish. Keep a male with a group of females as a harem; the females become boldly yellow and territorial when tending fry in caves. Provide pH 5.5-7.0, low to moderate hardness and 23-29 C, with fine sand, wood and dense planting. Offer small live and frozen foods like artemia, cyclops and micro-worms. Clean, stable water and abundant cover bring out its best behavior and color.