German Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Cichlidae
📍 Orinoco Basin, Venezuela
The German blue ram is a strikingly coloured dwarf cichlid demanding pristine water quality and warm, soft, acidic conditions. It forms monogamous pairs and will defend a small territory during breeding. Sensitive to poor water quality and temperature fluctuations, making regular water changes critical.
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Care Guide
Diet
German Blue Rams are omnivores requiring a varied diet of high-quality micro pellets as a staple, supplemented 2-3 times weekly with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. Feed small portions once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as they are bottom feeders with small mouths.
Behavior
German Blue Rams are peaceful, territorial cichlids that spend most time on the substrate foraging and exploring. They form monogamous pairs and will defend a small breeding territory, but remain non-aggressive toward other peaceful community fish outside of spawning periods. They are most active during dawn and dusk.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is moderately difficult and requires pristine water conditions, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), and temperatures at 28–30°C. Pairs will lay eggs on flat surfaces and exhibit strong parental care, but fry survival depends on excellent water quality and frequent small water changes. Breeding pairs may become aggressive toward tank mates during this period.
Tank Mates
Peaceful bottom dweller with identical water parameter requirements; will not compete for territory
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy mid-water column and prefer similar warm, soft water conditions
Peaceful invertebrate that shares preference for soft, acidic water; may be preyed upon if very small
Similar dwarf cichlid that may compete for territory; only suitable in larger tanks with adequate space and hiding areas
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, lethargy, rubbing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 30–31°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication; treat for 7–10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration, lethargy
Perform immediate 50% water change, improve water quality with frequent changes, use antibiotic medication if severe; ensure pristine conditions as this species is sensitive to poor water quality
Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH)
Small holes or pits developing on head and lateral line, loss of appetite
Perform 50% water changes every 2–3 days, improve diet with varied foods including vitamin-enriched options, use metronidazole if bacterial; often linked to poor water quality or nutritional deficiency
Stress-Related Illness
Faded coloration, hiding, loss of appetite, rapid breathing
Maintain stable water parameters (temperature 27–30°C, pH 5.5–7.0), reduce tank disturbances, provide adequate hiding spaces, perform regular water changes; this species is highly sensitive to fluctuations
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – micro pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia
- lifespan
- 2–4 years
- max size
- 7 cm (2.75 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Peaceful except when breeding
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 1–6 dGH
- temperature
- 81–86°F (27–30°C)