{"product_id":"neon-blue-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Neon Blue Balloon Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Neon Blue Balloon Ram is a selectively bred, round-bodied form of the German Blue Ram, glowing with electric-blue spangling. It is a small, characterful dwarf cichlid of around 4–5 cm that forms bonded pairs and makes a charming centrepiece. Being a balloon (short-bodied) form, its compressed spine can make it a little more delicate than standard rams, and like all rams it needs pristine, warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRams originate in the warm, slow-moving tributaries, pools and flooded savannah of the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia. These waters are typically warm, soft and slightly acidic, with sandy beds, leaf litter and gentle flow. The balloon form itself is a captive-bred shape and is not found in the wild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe balloon strain has a shortened, rounded belly and body created through selective breeding, combined here with the intense metallic blue of the Neon Blue line. Adults are compact at around 4–5 cm, with tall dorsal fins and red-flushed eyes. Males tend to have longer dorsal rays, while females often show a pink or rosy belly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRams are peaceful and a little shy, spending much of their time in the lower and middle levels. They become territorial only when breeding, when a pair will defend a small patch around their eggs. The balloon shape makes them slower swimmers, so keep them only with calm, unhurried tankmates that won't outcompete them for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous micropredator. Offer a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets and flake alongside regular live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm. Small, frequent feeds suit their modest appetite, and their rounded body means they can be prone to overfeeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a warmth-loving, water-quality-sensitive fish. Keep the temperature high (26–30 °C), the water soft and slightly acidic, and carry out frequent partial water changes. A mature, well-planted tank with gentle filtration, sand, driftwood and flat stones suits them best. The balloon body can carry a higher risk of swim-bladder and internal issues, so stable, clean water is especially important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRams are open, biparental substrate spawners that lay their eggs on a cleaned flat rock, leaf or in a shallow pit, with both parents guarding and fanning the eggs and fry. Balloon forms can breed but may be less fertile and less reliable 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 (formerly Apistogramma \/ Papiliochromis ramirezi)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeon Blue Balloon Ram (Balloon German 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 (balloon form is captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4–5 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 only 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\u003e40 litres for a pair\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore – micro pellets, flake, live and frozen foods\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\u003e5–12 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 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 – won't eat plants, may dig a little when spawning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall, peaceful and slow-moving tankmates such as neon and ember tetras, rasboras, dwarf corydoras and Otocinclus. Peaceful shrimp can work in mature, well-planted tanks, though tiny shrimplets may be eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive cichlids, boisterous barbs, known fin-nippers, and any fast, greedy feeders. The slower balloon body makes them especially vulnerable to nippers and competition, and they should not be kept in cool water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232824738083,"sku":"AA1766","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Neon_Blue_Balloon_Ram_281d1d72-3aff-4fef-af4d-9515c37d154e.jpg?v=1781699797","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/neon-blue-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}