{"product_id":"german-blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"German Blue Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe German Blue Ram is the original and arguably the finest of the dwarf cichlids — a tiny, characterful gem blazing with electric-blue spangles, gold and red over a rounded body. Reaching only around 5–7 cm, it is peaceful and endearing, but it rewards warm, clean, soft water and is not a fish for a brand-new tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the warm, still and slow-moving waters of the Orinoco basin savannahs (llanos) of Venezuela and Colombia. These are soft, acidic, often tannin-stained waters, warmer than most tropical fish enjoy, which is why rams need higher temperatures and gentle conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small, deep-bodied cichlid with a golden-blue base scattered with iridescent blue spangles, a red-flushed belly, a black vertical eye-bar and a dark blotch on the flank. The first dorsal rays are raised and often black. Colour intensifies dramatically in courting and dominant fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA genuinely peaceful dwarf cichlid, though a pair becomes territorial around a chosen spawning site. It suits a calm community of small, gentle fish and dislikes boisterous or nippy tankmates that stress it or outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that takes tiny foods. Offer a quality micro pellet or granule with frequent frozen and live foods such as baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops and bloodworm. Rams can be shy feeders, so ensure they get their share.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a soft-water dwarf cichlid that needs a mature, stable, warm aquarium — ideally 26–30 °C — with soft, slightly acidic water, gentle flow, and plenty of planting and cover. Rams are intolerant of ammonia, nitrite and unstable conditions, so only add them to a well-established tank and keep the water pristine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn open substrate spawner that lays eggs on a cleaned flat rock, leaf or pit. Both parents guard the eggs and fry diligently, fanning and shepherding them — a wonderful sight, though young pairs often eat their first few clutches before getting the hang of it. Soft, warm, clean water is key to fertile eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\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\u003eGerman Blue Ram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrinoco basin (Venezuela and Colombia), South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–7 cm\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\u003e60 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75+ litres\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\u003e26–30 °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\u003e1–8 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, well-established 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\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCalm, small community fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras, dwarf gouramis and small peaceful catfish that share its warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoisterous or aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, larger predators, and fast greedy feeders that will outcompete this gentle, sometimes timid dwarf.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232824770851,"sku":"AA1733","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/German_Blue_Ram_ce38073c-6722-4b29-968c-f5a700d2d0db.jpg?v=1781699782","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/german-blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}