Electric Blue Ram Care Guide
The Electric Blue Ram is a selectively bred line of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi with a solid metallic blue body, needing warm, soft, pristine water.
Overview
The Electric Blue Ram is a selectively bred ornamental line of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, a dwarf cichlid endemic to the Orinoco River basin in the savannahs (llanos) of Venezuela and Colombia. This line shows a near-solid metallic blue body. Husbandry matches the wild ram, although bred morphs can be slightly more sensitive to water quality.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mikrogeophagus
- Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi "Electric Blue"
- Base species: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Habitat
The wild ram occupies the Orinoco llanos, a vast region of tropical savannah, seasonally flooded plains and forests. Natural waters are warm and acidic with very low dissolved mineral content, often with vegetation present.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Stable, very clean water is essential; the species is a poor competitor and reacts badly to deteriorating conditions. A sand substrate suits this benthophagic fish.
Diet
Naturally benthophagic, the ram sifts substrate for food. It is an omnivore in the aquarium, thriving on a variety of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Artemia and Daphnia, supplemented with quality sinking prepared foods, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
A peaceful, mid-water dwarf cichlid that forms monogamous pairs. Males are intolerant of other males. It suits planted community tanks with calm tankmates such as small tetras, corydoras and otocinclus, but should be kept away from boisterous or aggressive fish, tiger barbs and angelfish.
Breeding
M. ramirezi is a biparental substrate spawner. Adhesive eggs are laid on flat stones or in shallow depressions and both parents tend them; reported clutches are around 150-300 eggs, hatching in roughly 40 hours near 29 °C, with larvae free-swimming after about five days. Breeding difficulty is intermediate.