Care and Compatibility of German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi


Introduction

The Microgeophagus ramirezi, commonly known as Ramirezi or Butterfly cichlid, is a freshwater fish native to South America. It stands out for its beautiful colors and compact, elegant shape. The common name "Ramirezi" is a recognition of Manuel Ramírez, who was the first to capture and describe this species in the 1940s. It is highly appreciated in the aquarium hobby due to its distinctive appearance and interesting behavior.

Behavior

Ramirezi is a peaceful and sociable fish that can be kept in community aquariums. However, it is important to note that they can display some aggression during the breeding season. It is recommended to provide them with hiding places and areas to establish their territory within the aquarium. They are agile swimmers and enjoy exploring their environment, although they tend to prefer lower areas with dense vegetation.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Microgeophagus ramirezi is subtle. Males typically have longer and pointed dorsal fins and anal fins than females. Additionally, males may exhibit more intense colors and flashy color patterns during the breeding season.

Reproduction

Breeding Ramirezi can be challenging, but it is also a fascinating aspect of this fish. They are egg-laying fish, and pairs form strong bonds during the breeding season. Males are known for their territorial behavior and the construction of nests to protect the eggs and fry. It is recommended to provide them with a protein-rich diet and ensure that the water conditions are suitable to stimulate breeding.

Aquarium Conditions

Microgeophagus ramirezi, commonly known as ramirezi or butterfly cichlid, is a peaceful and colorful fish that requires a well-planted aquarium with open areas for swimming and exploring. It prefers slightly acidic and soft water with warm and stable temperature. Providing hiding spots and shelters, such as caves and dense plants, is important.

Feeding

In terms of feeding, Ramirezi is an omnivorous fish. In their natural habitat, they primarily feed on small invertebrates, insect larvae, and algae. In the aquarium, they can be provided with a varied diet that includes high-quality dry foods such as flakes and pellets, as well as live and frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. Fresh foods like shrimp or blanched vegetables can also be offered. It is important to provide a balanced diet to maintain their health and vibrant colors.

Complexity

Caring for Microgeophagus ramirezi can be moderately challenging. They are sensitive fish that can be prone to diseases if not kept in optimal water conditions. They require a varied diet and regular aquarium maintenance to ensure their health and well-being.


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To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Microgeophagus ramirezi (German Blue Ram) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the German Blue Ram with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 86 species compatible with the Microgeophagus ramirezi (German Blue Ram) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (86)

Compatible (65 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Male siamese fighting fish - betta splendens male

Male siamese fighting fish

betta splendens male

Freshwater angelfish - Pterophyllum scalare

Freshwater angelfish

Pterophyllum scalare

Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Neon tetra fish - Paracheirodon innesi

Neon tetra fish

Paracheirodon innesi

Tiger Barb - Puntius tetrazona

Tiger Barb

Puntius tetrazona

Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Bleeding Heart Tetra - Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Bleeding Heart Tetra

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma

Sun Catfish - Horabagrus brachysoma

Sun Catfish

Horabagrus brachysoma

Gray bichir - Polypterus senegalus

Gray bichir

Polypterus senegalus

Pearl gourami - Trichogaster leerii

Pearl gourami

Trichogaster leerii

Coolie loach - Pangio kuhlii

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii

Dwarf Gourami - Colisa lalia

Dwarf Gourami

Colisa lalia

Zebrafish - Danio rerio

Zebrafish

Danio rerio

Severum Cichlid - Heros efasciatus

Severum Cichlid

Heros efasciatus

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Dwarf marbled catfish - Microglanis poecilus

Dwarf marbled catfish

Microglanis poecilus

Black Skirt Tetra - Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Black Skirt Tetra

Gymnocorymbus ternetzi

Hatchet Fish - Thoracocharax stellatus

Hatchet Fish

Thoracocharax stellatus

Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus Siamensis

Siamese Algae Eater

Crossocheilus Siamensis

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Yoyo Loach - Botia almorhae

Yoyo Loach

Botia almorhae

Otocinclus Catfish - Otocinclus Affinis

Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Affinis

Ember Tetra - Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Ember Tetra

Hemigrammus Rhodostomus

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

Harlequin Rasbora - Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Harlequin Rasbora

Trigonostigma Heteromorpha

Serpae Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Eques

Serpae Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Eques

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Emperor Tetra - Nematobrycon Palmeri

Emperor Tetra

Nematobrycon Palmeri

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid - Nannacara anomala

Goldeneye Dwarf Cichlid

Nannacara anomala

Ember Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ember Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Amandae

Ruby Tetra - Axelrodia riesei

Ruby Tetra

Axelrodia riesei

Green Neon Tetra - Paracheirodon Simulans

Green Neon Tetra

Paracheirodon Simulans

Three lined Pencilfish - Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Three lined Pencilfish

Nannostomus Trifasciatus

Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Boraras Brigittae Fish - Boraras Brigittae

Boraras Brigittae Fish

Boraras Brigittae

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Filamented Rainbowfish - Iriatherina Werneri

Filamented Rainbowfish

Iriatherina Werneri

Black Phantom Tetra - Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Black Phantom Tetra

Hyphessobrycon Megalopterus

Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Red Cherry - Neocaridina davidi

Red Cherry

Neocaridina davidi

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Si el acuario es de un tamaño superior a los 50 galones no existirá confrontación por espacio


German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

Similar Sizes (8 Species)

No se molestan si crecen juntos


Female Siamese Fighting Fish - Betta Splendens Female

Female Siamese Fighting Fish

Betta Splendens Female

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Denison Barb - Puntius denisonii

Denison Barb

Puntius denisonii

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

With Reservation (6 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Electric Blue Cichlid - Andinoacara pulcher

Electric Blue Cichlid

Andinoacara pulcher

False Discus - Heros severus

False Discus

Heros severus

Galaxy Rasbora - Danio margaritatus

Galaxy Rasbora

Danio margaritatus

Red-eyed Tetra - Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Red-eyed Tetra

Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae

Considerable size difference (1 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Compatible if space is enough (6 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Agassiz's Apistogramma - Apistogramma Agassizii

Agassiz's Apistogramma

Apistogramma Agassizii

Cockatoo Cichlid - Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Cockatoo Cichlid

Apistogramma Cacatuoides

Glassy Perchlet - Parambassis ranga

Glassy Perchlet

Parambassis ranga

Glowlight Tetra - Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Glowlight Tetra

Hemigrammus Erythrozonus

Black Neon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Black Neon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

La morena de agua dulce es pacífica siempre y cuando tenga el espacio suficiente y los ramirezi no sean muy pequeños


Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

German Blue Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi

German Blue Ram - Microgeophagus ramirezi
  • Ph: 5 - 6.5
  • Temperature (c°): 25 - 29
  • Measures: 6 cm - 8cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    12 Liters - 3 Gallons
  • Behavior: Peaceful
  • Morphology: Bright colors
  • Size: Small
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Water Type: Sweet water