{"product_id":"black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Black Balloon Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Black Balloon Ram is a dramatic dark, line-bred dwarf cichlid in the rounded, short-bodied 'balloon' shape. Moody and characterful, it is peaceful for a cichlid and full of personality, but like all rams it is a delicate fish that demands warm, soft, spotlessly clean water. A lovely centrepiece for a small planted aquarium in the hands of an attentive keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, comes from the warm, slow-moving, often tannin-stained rivers and flooded savannah pools of the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia, where the water is soft, acidic and very warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe balloon form has a foreshortened, rounded body compared with the standard ram, giving it a stout, compact profile. This dark line-bred strain shows smoky, near-black colouration, often with blue spangling and the red-flecked eye typical of the species. Fins are tall and pointed in males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather shy, though a pair becomes territorial around a small breeding site. It suits a calm community of small, gentle fish and should not be kept with boisterous or fin-nipping tankmates that will outcompete or stress it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore and micropredator. Offer a quality micro-pellet or granule alongside frequent frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp. Rams can be fussy and do best with a varied, protein-rich diet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRams need warm (26-29°C), soft, acidic and immaculately clean water, with stable parameters and low nitrate - they are sensitive to poor water quality and sudden changes. Provide a planted tank with gentle flow, soft substrate, and flat stones or caves as spawning sites. The balloon body shape can make some individuals slightly less robust, so buy healthy stock and keep conditions pristine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a soft-water dwarf cichlid, the ram is an open substrate-spawner that also uses flat rocks and small caves. A bonded pair cleans a flat stone or pit, lays eggs and both parents guard and fan the eggs and shepherd the free-swimming fry - devoted, biparental care when settled and secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack Balloon Ram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Orinoco basin); selectively bred form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4-5cm (balloon form is shorter-bodied)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-4 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or more (planted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micropredator)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26-29°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5-7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm, soft, planted community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall, peaceful, warm-water fish such as ember and cardinal tetras, rummynose tetras, small rasboras, Corydoras, and Otocinclus. Dwarf shrimp may be eaten but often coexist in heavily planted tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoisterous or aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs, cool-water fish like goldfish, and large or fast species that will outcompete this shy, delicate dwarf for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232826376483,"sku":"BA8248","price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Black_Balloon_Ram_67314a2e-890e-4aa4-b732-91de3b00fe9c.jpg?v=1781699752","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}