German Blue Ram care guide
German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) — minimum tank 75 L, temperature 25-30 °C, pH 5-7. Peaceful bottom-water species.
Overview
The Ram Cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi), commonly sold as the German Blue Ram, is a small, vividly coloured dwarf cichlid from the Orinoco basin. Adults rarely exceed 4 cm. The species is peaceful by cichlid standards but highly sensitive to water quality.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Mikrogeophagus
- Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- Common synonyms: Ram Cichlid, Butterfly Cichlid
Habitat
Inhabits warm, acidic, low-mineral waters in the Llanos savannas of Venezuela and Colombia. Natural temperatures range approximately 25.5-29.5 °C and pH 5.2-6.7. Habitat features slow flow, sandy substrate and vegetation cover.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 75 L (19.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 5-7 cm
- Temperature: 25-30 °C (77-86 °F)
- pH: 5-7
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet
An omnivore that sifts the substrate for small invertebrates and organic matter. Offer quality cichlid pellet or sinking granules and supplement with frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. Feed in small portions multiple times per day.
Compatibility
A relatively peaceful dwarf cichlid for soft-water community tanks. Best kept as a single pair with smaller dither fish such as Neon Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Corydoras and Bristlenose Pleco. Avoid combining with Oscar, Convict Cichlid or other large or aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
A monogamous substrate-spawner with biparental care. Adhesive eggs (0.9-1.5 mm) are deposited on a cleaned stone or in a gravel depression; clutches typically range 150-300. Eggs hatch within roughly 40 hours at 29 °C, and larvae become free-swimming after about five days.