Triple Red Apistogramma

Looks how to spot one

scales

The Triple Red is a selectively bred colour strain of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid. It has an elongated, moderately deep body with a relatively large mouth and thick lips. The male is larger and more colourful, with red and black pigmentation in the tail and dorsal fins, and elongated rays at the front of the dorsal fin. Females are duller, with a pale yellow body and a dark line along the flanks, but they turn bright yellow with black fins when breeding. The Triple Red strain is distinguished by intense red and black markings, especially in the fins.145

Personality what they are like

Generally peaceful towards other fish, but can be territorial, especially when breeding. Males may be aggressive towards other males of the same species. They do best in a community with small, peaceful fish like tetras, and a harem of one male with two or more females is recommended.351

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These fish are active swimmers and appreciate a well-planted tank with plenty of hiding places. They need a tank of at least 20 gallons for a pair, and more space if keeping a group. Provide caves, flowerpots, driftwood, and leaf litter for shelter. Dim lighting is preferred.123

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular partial water changes of 10-15% weekly are recommended. Use a soft, sandy substrate as they like to sift through it. Provide gentle filtration and avoid strong water flow. Keep the water temperature between 22-29°C and pH around 6.0-7.5, with soft water preferred.237

Home where they are happiest

In the wild, they inhabit slow-moving streams, backwaters, and lagoons with leaf litter and fallen branches. In the aquarium, provide a soft sandy substrate, plenty of hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and dense planting. Dim lighting and floating plants help them feel secure. They are not demanding about water hardness but prefer soft, slightly acidic to neutral water.123

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivorous. In the wild they feed on benthic invertebrates. In the aquarium, offer a varied diet of high-quality flake or pellets, supplemented with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia. They may accept dried foods, but live and frozen foods are important for good health and colour.235

Company who they like around

Best kept in pairs or as a harem of one male with several females. They can be territorial, especially when breeding, so provide plenty of hiding places and visual barriers. They are generally peaceful with small community fish like tetras, but may be aggressive towards other cichlids or conspecifics. Avoid keeping them with very small, slow-moving fish that might be bullied.135

The story where it all began

The Triple Red is a selectively bred colour strain of the cockatoo dwarf cichlid, Apistogramma cacatuoides. Wild fish typically show subtle blue and yellow colours with a few orange spots on the caudal fin. Through decades of selective breeding in the aquarium trade, strains with intense red and black fin colours, such as the Triple Red, have been developed. These fish are popular among aquarists for their vibrant appearance and relatively small size.254

Recognised by the official bits

Seriously Fish

Numerous ornamental forms have been line-bred for the aquarium trade, including 'triple red'.2

Imperial Tropicals

Captive strains have been selected for orange spots, resulting in the Triple Red and many other varieties.5