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German Blue Ram/Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
The Blue ram is indeed one of the most peaceful and beautiful cichlids of all. They are dwarf cichlids as they grow to 5cm. They comprise of many enchanting colours but since most are tank bred, lack these amazing colours. Even a gold strain of the ram has been developed. The most striking feature of the blue ram are its blue irridescent flecks and the black spot and vertical band it has. The males are more colourful than the females. Females are rounder with a pinkish abdominal area. As far as water is concerned - it has to be perfect or close to it. These fish have a bad reputation to die, they only live for 2 years or if you're lucky, maybe 3 years. They must have clean and crystal clear water with an acidic pH and it also must be soft. Rams are very, very delicate so only the advanced aquarists are experienced enough to look after them well. Note that rams don't take to medications well and prefer to be in a species tank with driftwood and amazon sword plants.
Depending on whether you are wanting an exclusive Ram tank or you want them to be a part of the community tank, special precautions are needed to care for them. First when looking to buy some like always look closley at them and check for things that may suggest a rough life. Such as very tattered fins, glazed over eyes, and disproportionate sized eyes(which suggests that it may not have been given the opprotunity to grow to it's current potential). Also when looking, pick ones that swim to the top in search of food when you put your hand above the tank. Before you have selected you specimens(try to get at the very least two) make sure your pH in the tank is no more than 6.5. It is essential you have obtained this before you purchase them. Also have the temperature in between 76-80 degrees F. The tank needs to be heavily planted whether you choose live or plastic is up to you. When you purchase them you can purchase as few as one, but I would get at least two because they will be lonely unless they have a friend! Many a Ram has died soon after the owner puts them in the tank so be sure to acclimate, which is floating the bag in the water, it for at least 15 minutes. After it has set in the tank another precaution would be to gradually add water from your tank to the bag and then net the fishes out. After the fish get over being timid they will show off their beauty day in and day out. Once the tank is set up be sure to do 20% water changes once a week so you don't lose the progress you already have. Doing these things and feeding them daily should help you grasp the hobby of keeping Rams.
Behavior: Peaceful, doesn't harm plants.
Temperature: 75 to 85 degrees F
Max size:3"
pH: 5.5-6.5
Food: Flakes, live foods, vegetable matter, pellet food
Tank Mates: Calm tropical fish of similar stats.
German Blue Ram/Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
The Blue ram is indeed one of the most peaceful and beautiful cichlids of all. They are dwarf cichlids as they grow to 5cm. They comprise of many enchanting colours but since most are tank bred, lack these amazing colours. Even a gold strain of the ram has been developed. The most striking feature of the blue ram are its blue irridescent flecks and the black spot and vertical band it has. The males are more colourful than the females. Females are rounder with a pinkish abdominal area. As far as water is concerned - it has to be perfect or close to it. These fish have a bad reputation to die, they only live for 2 years or if you're lucky, maybe 3 years. They must have clean and crystal clear water with an acidic pH and it also must be soft. Rams are very, very delicate so only the advanced aquarists are experienced enough to look after them well. Note that rams don't take to medications well and prefer to be in a species tank with driftwood and amazon sword plants.
Depending on whether you are wanting an exclusive Ram tank or you want them to be a part of the community tank, special precautions are needed to care for them. First when looking to buy some like always look closley at them and check for things that may suggest a rough life. Such as very tattered fins, glazed over eyes, and disproportionate sized eyes(which suggests that it may not have been given the opprotunity to grow to it's current potential). Also when looking, pick ones that swim to the top in search of food when you put your hand above the tank. Before you have selected you specimens(try to get at the very least two) make sure your pH in the tank is no more than 6.5. It is essential you have obtained this before you purchase them. Also have the temperature in between 76-80 degrees F. The tank needs to be heavily planted whether you choose live or plastic is up to you. When you purchase them you can purchase as few as one, but I would get at least two because they will be lonely unless they have a friend! Many a Ram has died soon after the owner puts them in the tank so be sure to acclimate, which is floating the bag in the water, it for at least 15 minutes. After it has set in the tank another precaution would be to gradually add water from your tank to the bag and then net the fishes out. After the fish get over being timid they will show off their beauty day in and day out. Once the tank is set up be sure to do 20% water changes once a week so you don't lose the progress you already have. Doing these things and feeding them daily should help you grasp the hobby of keeping Rams.
Behavior: Peaceful, doesn't harm plants.
Temperature: 75 to 85 degrees F
Max size:3"
pH: 5.5-6.5
Food: Flakes, live foods, vegetable matter, pellet food
Tank Mates: Calm tropical fish of similar stats.
