Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Also known as Ram, Butterfly Cichlid, Dwarf Butterfly Cichlid, Ramirezi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Cichlidae
Kept by 2 members in 2 tanksMikrogeophagus ramirezi is the ram cichlid, a dwarf cichlid of about 3 inches from the savanna rivers of the Orinoco basin in Venezuela and Colombia. German Blue, Electric Blue and Balloon rams are aquarium strains of it. It needs warm, soft, slightly acidic water that stays clean and stable, and pairs guard their eggs and fry.
Where it's from
Native to the Orinoco, Paraiba do Sul and San Juan Venezuela river basins
Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela
Recorded as introduced in Mexico
At a glance
- Size
- 3 in
- 8 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal
- 76 L
- Group
- 2+
- Temp
- 81–86°F
- 27–30°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- GH
- 18–107 ppm
- 1–6 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 2–4 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 10 ppm.
Tanks keeping this
Kept by 2 membersBy morph. 0 tanks shared publicly; 2 more kept privately.
German Blue Ram2 tanks · all private
Kept only in private tanks so far.
German Blue Ram pageCare
Diet
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
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
See all 4Peaceful 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
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Common diseases 4Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), Fin Rot, Hole-in-the-Head Disease (HITH), Stress-Related Illness
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
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.
The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (CC BY 4.0); Lista Roja de la Fauna Venezolana 2015 (CC BY 4.0); Tedesco et al. 2017 (CC0).
At a glance
- Size
- 3 in8 cm
- Min tank
- 20 gal76 L
- Group
- 2+
- Temp
- 81–86°F27–30°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- GH
- 18–107 ppm1–6 dGH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swims
- Bottom
- Lifespan
- 2–4 yrs
Ammonia 0 ppm and nitrate under 10 ppm.
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