Species Profile: The German Blue Ram/ German Gold Ram

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evelyn80

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Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi

Common Name: German Blue Ram/ German Gold Ram

Max Size: 3.5"

Minimum Tank Size: 15 US Gallons

Suggested Temperature: 78-80* F

Suggested Ph: 6.8 - 7.2(note tank born specimens can be kept in a higher Ph)

Diet: Feed quality flake and pellet foods and the occasional frozen treat

Overview: The German Ram is a relatively easy to care for fish with little requirements. They are a dwarf cichlid and can be territorial. The Ram belongs to the family "Apistogramma". They stay small for a cichlid and are a great addition to any tank. They need room to swim so longer tanks are ideal. A 15 gallon is a bare minimum.

Tank Scaping: Needs a cave or covering spot it can claim as its territory. Needs open space to swim as well. Goods hideouts are essential. Floating plants can be used as well to stop the flow of light as well to make the ram more comfortable.

Tankmates/ Temperment: Being a cichlid they can be territorial during breeding and usually need an area for them selves in the tank. Tankmates thatneed terriotries as well such as red tailed black sharks and kribs are not ideal choices. Tetras, live bearers and other community fish wont have a problem with the German Ram.

Breeding: Breeding is common in the hobby but only occurs through a pair. The best way to achieve a pair is by putting 6 juveniles together and let them pairoff and remove when a pair is formed. Tank set-up to achieve a pair is best to leave many flat spaces with lots of cover for the rams to lay the eggs on. They will lay approx 100-200 eggs a spawn. The parents will take turn guarding the eggs and will intensify there colors when it happens. The eggs will hatch in 60 hours and it should take a few days after words for the fry to be free swimming. Once the fry are free swimming the male will clean them in his mouth. When the fry's yolk sack runs out you can feed them infusoria cultures or hatched baby brine shrimp or commercial fry foods. After 3 or so weeks you can remove the parents or fry. During fry raising make sure to do 10% water changes daily for best growth.


A Few Pictures of the German Ram(Blue and Gold)
(side note the Gold ram pictures are NOT mine, Blue Rams are mine)

ram1.jpg ram2.JPG ram3.JPG g-ram2.jpg
 

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jpappy789

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Feb 18, 2007
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Josh
There's no discussion thread yet. A couple of things...

Blue ram is a more accurate common name. "German" comes from the fact that some are actually bred in Germany (most come from Asia now). Gold rams are just a different variant.
GH/KH requirements would be more helpful than pH.
There is no "apistogramma" family, only a genus. Rams are in the cichlidae family.
Maybe add how to sex them as that is a very common question.

Just a few pointers...other than that nice article.
 
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