Description

German Ram Small (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

The German Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is a beautiful South American dwarf cichlid, prized for its combination of blue iridescent markings, warm yellow and gold tones, dark patterning and expressive cichlid behaviour.

Despite reaching only around 7cm, German Rams have plenty of personality. They’re inquisitive fish that spend much of their time exploring the lower areas of the aquarium, investigating the substrate and establishing small territories around plants, wood, stones and caves.

They’re generally peaceful enough for a carefully chosen community aquarium, but they aren’t a fish we’d recommend for a newly established tank. German Rams thrive in warm, stable conditions and are considerably less forgiving of poor or fluctuating water quality than many common community species.

Our Small German Rams are approximately 3.5-3.8cm when purchased and are still developing their adult colouration.

Aquarium Set Up

German Rams are best kept in a mature, well-established aquarium with excellent water quality.

They naturally spend a great deal of time around the bottom of the aquarium, so the footprint and layout of the tank are particularly important. Plants, bogwood, smooth rocks and caves can be used to create sheltered areas and natural boundaries between territories.

We particularly like a soft sand substrate for Rams. They’ll investigate and sift around the substrate while foraging, and sand allows them to display this behaviour naturally.

Water movement should be moderate rather than excessively powerful, with warm, soft water generally suiting the species best.

Water Quality Really Matters

This is the bit we’d rather tell you before you buy them.

German Rams can be sensitive fish, particularly when water quality deteriorates or conditions fluctuate. They are therefore much better suited to a stable, mature aquarium than a newly cycled or frequently changing set-up.

Regular partial water changes, sensible stocking and good filtration are important, but stability matters just as much as chasing a particular number on a test kit.

They’re also warm-water fish. That needs considering when choosing their companions because not every community species is at its best when permanently maintained towards the warmer end of the tropical range.

Behaviour

German Rams are generally peaceful but still very definitely cichlids.

Individuals establish small territories and may display towards other Rams, particularly as they mature. Much of this consists of posturing, flaring and chasing rather than outright aggression, provided the aquarium gives each fish enough room.

Once a pair forms, however, territorial behaviour can increase significantly around a chosen spawning site.

That’s part of their appeal. Rams aren’t simply colourful ornaments — they’re expressive little fish with genuinely interesting social and breeding behaviour.

Keeping German Rams Together

A male and female can make an attractive pairing, while several Rams can be kept in a sufficiently spacious aquarium where each fish has room to establish its own territory.

Simply putting any male and female together doesn’t guarantee a harmonious bonded pair, however. Individual compatibility still matters.

If keeping a group, use plants, wood and other décor to break up lines of sight and create several distinct territories. As fish mature and pairs develop, watch the group for any individual that is being persistently excluded or chased.

Tank Mates

The best tank mates are peaceful species that are comfortable in the same warm conditions.

Cardinal Tetras and Rummy Nose Tetras can be particularly suitable choices, alongside other peaceful South American community fish whose temperature requirements overlap appropriately.

Corydoras are often suggested for Ram aquariums, but this needs a little more thought than simply saying “Corydoras are fine”. Different Corydoras species have different preferred temperature ranges, so choose one genuinely comfortable at Ram temperatures rather than assuming every Cory is interchangeable.

Avoid large, aggressive cichlids and excessively boisterous fish that may intimidate Rams or continually compete with them for food.

Feeding

German Rams are omnivorous and usually accept a good range of aquarium foods once settled.

Offer a quality small granule or micro pellet as part of the staple diet, supplemented with suitable frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis, Daphnia and bloodworm.

Because Rams spend much of their time in the lower part of the aquarium, make sure food actually reaches them in busy community tanks rather than allowing faster surface and midwater feeders to grab everything first.

Colour & Development

The Small German Rams we sell are juveniles at approximately 3–3.5cm, so don’t expect them to display the full colour and finnage of a mature adult immediately.

Their appearance develops as they grow, and a young fish can become considerably more impressive once settled and mature.

Good nutrition and excellent aquarium conditions allow the fish to develop naturally, but individual colour and pattern will always vary — the fish you receive won’t necessarily be identical to the example shown in the photograph.

Please note that the image is for illustration purposes and the fish you will receive may not be identical. These fish are still juveniles and have yet to colour up. A healthy environment and good quality food will help bring them into full colour. If you have any questions about keeping these fish, please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff.

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