{"product_id":"blue-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Blue Balloon Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Balloon Ram is a rounded, blue-spangled form of the beloved German Ram dwarf cichlid, brimming with personality despite its tiny size. This balloon variety has a shortened, deep body produced by selective breeding, giving it a comical, dumpy charm. A peaceful, colourful centrepiece for a warm, soft, planted nano, though it does demand pristine, stable water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi comes from the warm, still and slow-flowing waters of the Orinoco basin savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia. These are soft, acidic, often tannin-stained waters with sandy beds, leaf litter and gentle warmth, and they can be surprisingly warm year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small dwarf cichlid with a rounded, deep balloon body, large expressive eyes with a dark bar, and a body scattered with iridescent blue spangles over a golden-grey base, often with red on the belly. Males tend to have slightly extended dorsal rays. The balloon shape is a man-made trait and can make swimming a little less efficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenuinely peaceful and rather shy, though a pair becomes territorial around a spawning site. It's a poor competitor for food and can be intimidated by boisterous fish, so choose calm, slow-feeding tankmates. Best kept as a pair or small group in a quiet, warm community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore and micro-predator that appreciates variety and small, frequent meals. Offer a quality micro-pellet as the base and plenty of frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp. Some individuals are slow to accept dry food, so live and frozen foods help greatly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an intermediate fish that needs warm, soft, acidic and impeccably clean water, with temperatures of 26-29°C, gentle filtration and low nitrate. Provide a planted tank with sand, driftwood, gentle flow and flat stones or caves for spawning. It is sensitive to poor water quality and best added only to a mature, stable aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner that also uses flat rocks and small pits, and forms bonded pairs that tend eggs and fry together, a lovely example of dwarf cichlid parental care. Warm, soft, very clean water encourages spawning. Balloon forms can be less reliable parents and breeders than standard rams.\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\u003eBlue Balloon Ram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Orinoco basin, Venezuela and Colombia) - captive-bred balloon 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; standard rams to ~7cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-3 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\u003e60 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro)\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\u003e5.0-6.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-12 dGH (soft)\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-water planted community and nano 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 small tetras (cardinals, rummynose), rasboras, pencilfish, Corydoras, Otocinclus and dwarf shrimp (with some risk). Best kept as a pair or small group in a calm tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoisterous or fast-feeding fish that outcompete it, fin-nippers, cool-water species (rams need real warmth), and large or aggressive cichlids. Avoid unstable or hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232826999075,"sku":"BA8822","price":45.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Balloon_Blue_Ram_db46f44b-f75d-4994-acd5-bd7fea9a4de4.jpg?v=1781699745","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}