Fish Profile: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

[genes]

Being a very popular aquarium fish, and not to mentioned, beautiful and affordable dwarf cichlid, this fish profile aims to give new hobbist some information of keeping this fish.

Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Trade names: Butterfly cichlid, Blue ram, Holland ram, German ram
Family: Dwarf Cichlid
Distribution: Orinoco Basin
Minimum Tank Size: At least a 1ft tank for a pair.
Temperament: Semi-aggressive.
Diet: They are not fussy eaters and accepts a wide range of staple and live food.
Water Condition: Clean water is a must because nitrogeneous waste results in an abbreviated life span. They are not particular about pH but ideally, pH should be around 4.5 - 6.5. Water temperature around 25 - 30degrees is accepted by this species.
Sexual Dimorphism: Male exhibits longer anterior dorsal membrane. Anal fin of males are elongated while female's anal fin are usually rounded. Ventral fins of matured males are longer and extends past the anterior anal fin membrane. Mature females exhibit a pinkish/reddish belly. Black lateral spot on male is surrounded with blue scales while female has blue scales within the black lateral spot.
Breeding: Open spawner. Parents usually dig a pit in the gravel and spawn there. Both parents take part in brood caring of the fries when they are free swimming.

MALE


FEMALE

[Cacatuoides]

Very good information for everyone. Well done Eugene.
Are you planning to do this profile for the apistos as well?
Just like the one on Apistogramma.com forum?

It'll be great to put this up as sticky for easier reference in future

[genes]

I will try to when i find the time.

[PLee]

nice work Eugene !!

[Puffer]

Hello, I'm a newly proud owner of a pair of German rams. Can anyone share from your experience what are the favourite food (dried and live) of these beautiful fish? I've tried feeding them freeze dried bloodworm, frozen daphnia, mini tetrabits etc but they seem to take little (maybe they are still trying to get accustom to my tank). I also notice they like to pick up food remains from the substrate. Otherwise, they also tear up abit of my downoi leaves and riccia and spit out the leaves.

[fisherw]

The geophagus part of the name means "earth eating" (presumably in Latin). This is from their habit of picking food from substrate. This is also exhibited by other cichlids like the luohan which is "exploited" to get them to pick lucky number balls if you remember.