Gold Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. "Gold"
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4–6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 60 litres
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Species profile
German Blue Ram Cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. "German Blue"
Common names: German Blue Ram Cichlid, German Blue Ram
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 6 cm
Typical adult length 4–6 cm.
Up to 6 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Intermediate shrimp keepers
- Peaceful nano aquariums
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A selectively bred ram with strong blue iridescence and classic dark markings, requiring warm pristine water.
Appearance and Identification
A compact yellow-gold cichlid with bright blue spangling, a black eye bar, a flank spot, red fin accents, and blue patterning in the fins.
German Blue is a captive strain of M. ramirezi rather than a separate species. Quality lines retain normal body shape and clear sex characteristics.
Males are larger with extended anterior dorsal rays. Females usually show a pink or purple abdomen and blue spangling within the black flank spot.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 120–180 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–100 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 60 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 60 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Provide fine sand, plants, wood, flat stones, gentle filtration, open feeding areas, and warm stable water.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A small lower-level cichlid that is usually peaceful outside breeding but sensitive to poor water quality and social stress.
Keep a compatible pair or a small group in a larger structured aquarium. Forced pairs may fight.
Both parents defend a small spawning territory and may attack bottom-dwelling fish near eggs or fry.
Use peaceful warm-water tank mates that do not dominate food. Shrimplets are prey, and cool-water community fish are unsuitable.
Water Parameters
The strain thrives at 27 to 30°C in clean soft to moderately mineralised water. Nitrate and organic waste should remain low.
Parameter caveat
Select robust fish from a reputable breeder. Weak mass-produced rams may have poor longevity even under good care.
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Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Insectivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Live baby brine shrimpUseful for conditioning adults and feeding juveniles; rinse before use.
- Daphnia, cyclops, or mosquito larvaeSmall moving prey encourages natural feeding behaviour.
- Frozen brine shrimp or mysisOffer thawed portions sized for the fish.
- High-quality cichlid micro-pelletUse as part of a varied diet after the fish accepts prepared food.
An omnivorous micropredator requiring varied small foods and excellent nutrition.
Feed several small meals daily. Avoid relying on flakes alone and do not keep at low temperature to slow metabolism.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding temperature
- 29 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.2
- Brood or egg count
- Usually 100 to 300 eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpPrimary food for free-swimming fry; feed small rinsed portions several times daily.
- MicrowormsUseful supplementary food for small fry near the substrate.
- Fine powdered fry foodUse sparingly and remove uneaten material.
A biparental open substrate spawner. Eggs are laid on a flat surface or in a shallow pit and guarded by both parents.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Captive-Developed, Colombia, South America, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater Wetland, Slow River
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Mikrogeophagus
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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