{"product_id":"platinum-blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","title":"Platinum Blue Ram | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Platinum Blue Ram is a pale, shimmering form of the German Blue Ram, a soft silvery-blue all over. It is a peaceful, characterful dwarf cichlid that stays small at around 5–7 cm, but it is delicate and demands warm, clean, soft water. Best suited to a settled, well-planted tank and a keeper willing to keep conditions spot-on.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi is native to the warm, slow-flowing waters of the Orinoco basin savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia, among quiet pools and vegetated margins. The water is warm, soft and often acidic. Fine sand, gentle flow, planting and some flat stones or wood recreate its home and give it the security it needs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA compact, high-bodied dwarf cichlid in luminous platinum silver-blue, the fins carrying delicate points and a soft glow. The wild bars and blotches are largely bred out of this form, leaving a clean pastel finish. Colour intensifies markedly in a settled, well-fed fish in warm, soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather shy, though a bonded pair becomes territorial around a spawning site. It mixes well with small, calm tankmates but is easily out-competed at feeding time by boisterous or fast fish. Keep singly, as a pair, or in a group in a larger tank with sight breaks.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator and omnivore that takes small sinking pellets, quality flake and, ideally, frequent frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp. Rams can be fussy on dried food alone, so a varied, protein-rich diet keeps them in condition and colour.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 40 L, with 60 L or larger better, especially for a pair or group. Keep temperature warm at 26–29 °C, pH 5.0–7.0 and soft water with a low GH of around 0–8 dGH. This species is genuinely sensitive to nitrate, poor quality and cool or unstable conditions, so mature, pristine, warm water and steady maintenance are essential. Not one for a brand-new tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRams are substrate spawners that clean a flat stone or pit and lay their eggs in the open, with both parents guarding and fanning the brood and later shepherding free-swimming fry. Warm, soft, very clean water encourages spawning. Young or stressed pairs may eat early clutches before settling into reliable parents.\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\u003eRam Cichlid \/ German Blue Ram (Platinum)\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 (delicate)\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): small pellets, flake, frozen and live foods\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\u003e5.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft, around 0–8 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 aquariums\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 small peaceful tetras (ember, cardinal), rasboras, pencilfish, corydoras, otocinclus and dwarf shrimp in a calm, warm tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with boisterous or fast feeders, fin-nippers, larger cichlids, and any fish that need cool water. Avoid hard, alkaline or unstable water and immature tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232824672547,"sku":"AA1955","price":38.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Platinum_Blue_Ram_09131a3b-e3ef-4824-abfd-c0e66110d03b.jpg?v=1781699807","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/platinum-blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}