{"product_id":"longfin-balloon-sunshine-gold-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Longfin Balloon Sunshine Gold Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Longfin Balloon Sunshine Gold Ram is a warm golden-yellow dwarf cichlid with a rounded balloon body and long, flowing fins. Peaceful and ornate at around 5 cm, it's a jewel for a warm, soft, planted tank — though, like all rams, it rewards keepers who can hold pristine water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGerman Rams are a captive-bred form of \u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e, a dwarf cichlid from the warm, still and slow-moving waters of the Orinoco savannahs (the Llanos) of Venezuela and Colombia. That water is very warm, soft and acidic, stained by leaf litter — conditions worth mimicking, as rams are far hardier in warm, soft, spotlessly clean water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA bright sunshine-gold to yellow body, deepest over the back, set off by long trailing fins and the shortened, rounded 'balloon' shape. Red eyes and the ram's characteristic high dorsal spines complete the look. Balloon forms carry a compressed spine, so a plump, rounded profile is normal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA peaceful dwarf cichlid that mixes happily with calm community fish and won't harass tankmates outside of breeding. Pairs become territorial around a chosen spawning site but defend only a small area. Keep them with gentle companions — boisterous or fin-nipping fish stress them and damage the long fins of this form.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that grazes small foods. Offer good-quality micro pellets and granules alongside frequent frozen and live foods — bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp and cyclops bring out the best colour and condition. Feed small amounts several times a day; balloon forms have compressed bodies and should not be overfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe key with rams is warmth, softness and cleanliness. Keep them at the upper end of the tropical range (27–30 °C) in soft, acidic, mature water and never add them to a newly cycled tank. They are sensitive to nitrate and to parameter swings, so keep up gentle filtration and regular water changes. Provide plants, wood and flat stones for security and spawning. Be candid: balloon and longfin forms are more delicate than wild-type rams and are best suited to keepers who can hold pristine, stable water.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpen-substrate spawners that form monogamous pairs. A pair cleans a flat rock or leaf and both parents guard the eggs and fan the fry, showing the devoted brood care cichlids are loved for. Very warm, soft, clean water triggers spawning; balloon and longfin forms can be less reliable parents than standard rams.\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\u003eLongfin Balloon Sunshine Gold Ram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelectively bred; wild species from the Orinoco Llanos of Venezuela and Colombia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 5 cm (balloon forms 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 (sensitive to water quality)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 litres or more for a community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (micro pellets, frozen and live foods)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e27–30 °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\u003e2–10 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\u003eIntermediate keepers; warm, soft, planted community tanks\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 — grazes the substrate but does not eat plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, warmth-loving community fish: tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, dwarf gouramis, small peaceful catfish such as Corydoras, and other calm dwarf cichlids. Ideal in warm, soft, planted community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAggressive or large cichlids, fin-nippers such as tiger barbs that damage the flowing fins, and any fast, boisterous fish that will out-compete them for food. Avoid cool, hard or newly set-up tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232826114339,"sku":"BA9016","price":36.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Longfin_Balloon_Sunshine_Gold_Ram_31ebd3b4-157a-4baf-8822-ddab1ca62370.jpg?v=1781699790","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/longfin-balloon-sunshine-gold-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}