Electric Blue Ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var.

Note: Due
to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided.

Care

The Electric Blue Ram is a tank-bred colour strain of the
Ram. In the wild, Rams are known from the Colombian and Venezuelan Llanos of
the Orinoco River drainage. The Llanos is a vast, periodically flooded tropical
grassland plain with an astonishing biodiversity and its own well defined
weather comprising dry and rainy seasons. Rams are a peaceful, but delicate
dwarf cichlid species that are recommended for experienced aquarists. The home
aquarium should contain soft, acidic water and be biologically mature before
these fishes are added. Ideally there will be dark substrate and dense
planting, with plenty of hiding places/territories amongst rocks, driftwood,
upturned flower pots, coconut shells etc. Floating plant cover could be used to
help diffuse the light. Peat filtration and the addition of dried Indian Almond
Leaves (Terminalia catappa) would be beneficial to help create the favoured
conditions. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement gentle, and
frequent partial water changes should be carried out in order to keep nitrate
at a minimum (essential for the successful keeping of this species). Rams are
best maintained as a male-female pair in a peaceful community setting, and
should not be housed with any aggressive species which may bully them. Small
groups of Rams can be kept together, but you may find that certain fish pair
off, and when breeding, they can become a little territorial towards others.
Tankmates should be small and peaceful and good companions could include
Corydoras catfish, hatchetfish, pencilfish, small tetras, and suckermouth
catfish.

Feeding

Flake, micropellets, small frozen foods such as bloodworm,
white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp and daphnia.

Breeding

To breed Electric Blue Rams, the aquarium water must be
very soft (<5 dH) with a pH <7.0. The water temperature should be set at
the high end of their preferred range. Females can lay up to 400 eggs (although
250 is a typical average sized brood), which both male and female will take
turns in guarding and fanning with their pectoral fins. These eggs should hatch
after 48-72 hours and the fry will become free-swimming after 5 days, at which
stage they can be offered tiny foods such as infusoria and microworms, moving on
to larger foodstuffs as they grow. The parent fish will herd the youngsters
around the tank, protecting them from any potential predators. If you wish to
ensure a high survival rate for your eggs/fry, it would be prudent to set up a
dedicated breeding tank for this purpose.