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German blue ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)
Photo: Sven Kullander · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

German blue ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi · Cichlidae

Also known as Blue ram, Butterfly cichlid

Advanced

Brilliantly coloured dwarf cichlid that needs warm, clean, soft water and stable parameters.

Minimum tank
75 L
Temperature
26–30 °C
pH
5.5–7
Adult size
6 cm
Group size
2+
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Care requirements
Minimum tank volume
75 L
Temperature
26–30 °C
pH
5.5–7
Hardness
1–10 dGH
Lifespan
2–4 years
Diet
Omnivore — micro pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp.
Care level
Advanced
Origin & habitat
Native region
Orinoco llanos, Venezuela and Colombia
Water type
Freshwater
Biotope
Warm, shallow, sandy savannah pools
Natural conditions
Very warm, very soft, acidic, still water.
Behaviour & stocking
Temperament
Peaceful
Minimum group
2 fish
Swims
Bottom
Good tank mates
Cardinal tetra
Sterbai corydoras
Harlequin rasbora
Avoid
Another pair in a small tank
Aggressive cichlids
Breeding & difficulty
Breeding difficulty
Intermediate
Sexing
Females show a pink belly; males have longer dorsal spines.
Notes
Substrate spawner; farmed stock often eats the first few batches.
Common ailments
Bacterial infections from farmed stock
Hexamita
Nitrate sensitivity

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