{"product_id":"blue-black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Blue Black Balloon Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Black Balloon Ram is a deep, moody blue-black form of the German Ram dwarf cichlid, its rounded balloon body catching the light with dark iridescent spangles. Full of character for such a small fish, it's a peaceful and beautiful choice for a warm, soft, planted nano. Like all rams, it needs clean, stable, warm water to thrive.\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 and leaf litter, and they stay 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 crossed by a dark bar, and a dark blue to blue-black body shimmering with iridescent spangles. Males often show slightly extended dorsal rays. The balloon body is a man-made trait produced by selective breeding and can make swimming slightly less efficient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and somewhat shy, becoming territorial only around a spawning site. It is a poor competitor at feeding time and easily intimidated, so it needs calm, gentle tankmates rather than fast or boisterous ones. Best kept as a pair or small group in a quiet, warm aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore and micro-predator that does best on 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. Live and frozen foods help settle fish that are slow to take dry food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn intermediate species requiring warm, soft, acidic and very clean water at 26-29°C, with gentle filtration and low nitrate. Provide a mature, planted tank with sand, driftwood, gentle flow and flat stones or caves. Rams are sensitive to poor or unstable water, so add them only to an established aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner that also uses flat rocks and shallow pits, forming bonded pairs that guard eggs and shepherd fry together in classic dwarf cichlid fashion. Warm, soft, immaculate water encourages spawning. Balloon forms can be less reliable breeders and parents than standard-bodied 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 Black 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":55232826179875,"sku":"BA8820","price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Black_Balloon_Ram_7ea1f187-4d88-4531-a3be-aca9a53e2153.jpg?v=1781699761","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}