Ram Cichlid (German Blue Morph)

The German blue ram is a captive strain of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi developed at German fish farms and distinguished from standard commercial forms by heightened blue iridescent colouration across the body and more boldly coloured fins. It has been selectively bred for colour intensity and body shape over decades and is among the most widely kept and recognised dwarf cichlids in the hobby worldwide. Care requirements are the same as all M. ramirezi forms: warm water (never below 25 °C), soft-to-moderately-soft and slightly acidic conditions, clean filtration, fine substrate, and a nutritious varied diet. A cave spawner with biparental care, it is peaceful and suits well-established planted community aquaria with non-aggressive tankmates of similar or smaller size.

Water: Soft; pH 5.5–7.0, temperature 27–30 °C, clean and well-filtered. Tank: 60 L+; planted, fine substrate, caves or pots for spawning. Feeding: Micro pellets, frozen cyclops, daphnia, artemia, bloodworm. Breeding: Cave spawner; biparental care; consistent warm water key to success. Compatibility: Excellent with small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, and otocinclus.