Species

Three-striped dwarf cichlid

Apistogramma trifasciata

moderatesemi aggressivebottom swimmerCichlidae
Add to my tank
Three-striped dwarf cichlid
Tank length
18 cm7 in
Start with
1
Temperature
24–29 °C75–84 °F
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
4.5 cm1.8 in
Lifespan
3–5 yrs

A small, warmth-loving apisto that does best with peaceful dither fish and no larger bottom competitors.A small, warmth-loving apisto that does best with peaceful dither fish and no larger bottom competitors.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature24–29AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
pH5.5–7.2AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence
Hardness (dGH)1–15AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence
OriginParaguay and Guaporé basins, South Americacurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care levelmoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activitymoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentsemi aggressivecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Nips finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Long finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
TerritorialYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lives in groupsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum group1curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Dietcarnivorecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lifespan (years)3–5curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Months to adult size7curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence