{"product_id":"blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Blue Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Blue Ram is a pocket-sized jewel of a dwarf cichlid, washed in blue, gold and red and lit with iridescent spangles. Peaceful, intelligent and full of personality, it rewards a keeper who can give it warm, soft, spotlessly clean water. It reaches around 5–7 cm and, while beautiful, is a little delicate — best for aquarists with some experience.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi comes from the warm, still and slow-moving waters of the Llanos savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia, in the Orinoco basin. These waters are very warm, soft and acidic, often tea-stained and gently vegetated, with sandy substrates and plenty of cover.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA compact, deep-bodied cichlid with a high dorsal fin, blue-spangled flanks, a golden sheen and bold red-orange around the belly and eye. Males are larger with more extended dorsal rays, while females are rounder and often show a rosy-pink belly patch in breeding condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and even a little shy, though a pair becomes territorial around a chosen spawning site. Rams are best kept as a pair or in a group in a spacious, well-planted tank, with calm tankmates that will not outcompete them for food or stress them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-omnivore, the ram takes quality micro-pellet and flake, and truly thrives with regular live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops and baby brine shrimp. Frequent small feeds keep this little grazer in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is where rams demand care: they need warm, soft, acidic and very clean water. Keep temperature at 26–29 °C, pH 5.5–7.0 and soft water, with a mature, stable tank of 40 L or more, gentle flow and diligent water changes. They are sensitive to nitrate and poor water quality. Plant safe.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs a dwarf cichlid, the Blue Ram is an open substrate-spawner that will also use a flat stone or a small cave. A bonded pair cleans the site, lays a patch of eggs and then both parents guard and fan the eggs and shepherd the fry — a delightful display of shared parental care in warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue Ram (Ram Cichlid)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrinoco basin, Venezuela and Colombia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5–7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial when breeding)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro): micro-pellet, flake, live and frozen bloodworm, daphnia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e26–29 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm, soft-water planted community tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful, warmth-loving fish such as small tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras and other calm dwarf cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with boisterous or aggressive fish, fin-nippers, larger cichlids, and cool-water species, as rams need warmth and calm.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232824934691,"sku":"AA1398","price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Blue_Ram_2a26b13c-29c6-4d5c-a9b0-ad618098edaa.jpg?v=1781699765","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}