Ram cichlid
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Cichlidae
Moderate
Parameter dashboard
Temperature
27-30 °C
pH
4-7
Size
4.2 cm
Lifespan
3 years
Min tank60 L
Price$$$
DietOmnivore
TemperamentPeaceful
OriginSouth America
Shrimp-safeNo
Care guide
The German blue ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is one of the most popular dwarf cichlids in the aquarium hobby, prized for its vivid blue and yellow coloration with iridescent spots and bold red eye. Native to the Venezuelan and Colombian llanos of the Rio Orinoco drainage, it inhabits warm, soft, acidic waters with sandy substrates and abundant cover. Reaching only 3.5 to 4 cm in standard length, it is a true dwarf cichlid well-suited to tanks with a base measuring 60 cm x 30 cm for a single pair. Despite being commonly marketed as a community fish, the ram is actually a poor competitor that requires pristine water conditions and warm temperatures of 27 to 30 °C, making it best suited to a dedicated setup or alongside peaceful, open-water characins like cardinal tetras. Juvenile specimens are gregarious, but adults form monogamous pairs that will defend a small breeding territory. They are benthophagous by nature, taking mouthfuls of substrate and sifting for edible items. A varied diet of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, Artemia, and daphnia is essential for optimal health and colour. The ram is particularly susceptible to hole-in-the-head disease when kept in biologically immature aquaria or poor water conditions. Commercially produced strains are often genetically weak and short-lived compared to wild specimens.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (10)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher var. Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Freshwater angelfish Pterophyllum scalare Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold severum Heros efasciatus var. Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Greenstreaked eartheater Biotodoma cupido Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Panda Uaru Uaru fernandezyepezi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Venustus Cichlid Nimbochromis venustus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Shell Dweller Lamprologus ocellatus Avoid | Avoid | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Haitian cichlid Nandopsis haitiensis Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · Species with non-overlapping pH ranges may not thrive together Open pair in Compare → |
| Rainbow krib Pelvicachromis pulcher Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist Open pair in Compare → |
2 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Agassiz's dwarf cichlid Apistogramma agassizii Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
| Mendezs Dwarf Cichlid Apistogramma mendezi Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
Keep this species? Spot anything off?