German Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi · family Cichlidae
Also: Ram Cichlid, Butterfly Cichlid, Electric Blue Ram
Parameters
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
- pH
- 5.5–7
- Hardness
- 2–8 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 60 L
- Maximum size
- up to 5 cm
- Group size
- min 2, ideal 2
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
Description
The German Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is a dazzling dwarf cichlid adorned with electric-blue spangles, a golden forehead, and an elongated black dorsal crest. Unlike cooler-water Apistogrammas, Rams require warm temperatures of 26–30 °C (79–86 °F) and very clean, soft, acidic water.
Care
Provide a 60+ liter planted aquarium with fine sand substrate (which they sift through their gills), flat river stones, driftwood cover, and stable 27–29 °C water with nitrates under 15 ppm.
Feeding
Micro-pellets for dwarf cichlids, baby brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia, and frozen bloodworms.
Breeding
Open substrate spawners: bonded pairs clean a flat stone or shallow pit in the sand and jointly guard 100–200 eggs.
Compatibility
- Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Идеальный сосед для дискусов благодаря одинаковым требованиям к тёплой (28–30 °C) мягкой воде. / One of the very best dwarf cichlid tank mates for Discus due to matching 28–30 °C soft-water requirements.
Good
FAQ
- How do you tell male and female German Blue Rams apart?
- Females display a bright pink-purple belly and blue iridescent spangles inside the black lateral spot, whereas males have longer anterior dorsal rays and a solid black spot.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22