German Rams

[saram521]

Who has successfully kept the fish mikrogeophagus ramirezi aka German Blue Ram in a pH of 7.5 with a dH of at least 7 or 8? I’d love to keep this fish but would rather not have to soften the water for them if they don’t need it. I’m not looking to breed them, just keep them. I'm aware that bolivian rams are easier to keep, but I just don't find them nearly as pretty.

 

[lucy42083]

I have kept not blue rams - But I have gold rams, which I am pretty sure is just a different color morph of microgeophagus ramirezi, in a pH of 7.8-8.0 with a dH of 10-12 and they are thriving. However, mine were tank raised, not wild-caught - with a tank raised gbr you will definitely not have a problem, and I believe with proper acclimation a wild/farmed ram should be ok as well.

 

[Weezer]

We have had GBR's for about 5 months now in a Ph of about 7.8.. so far so good, but they have not spawned as of yet, that I'm aware of...

 

[evelyn80]

i have a blue ram and i try to keep pH in the 7.2-7.4 range. he thrives greatly in this! im sure if the rams your wanting to buy were bred, not wild caught it would work though. pretty fish i love them

 

[msquared]

I agree with those recommending tank-bred GBRs for their tolerance of non-ideal water parameters. I have one tank-bred GBR and I've had some big problems that caused 14 other fish to die off. This Ram and one Guppy are all that have survived the nightmare. She's tough!

 

[bs6749]

Microgeophagus ramirezi can be kept in a wide range of pH levels and GH levels unless they are wild caught. Tank raised is the way to go, preferrably from a local breeder if you can find one. Stay away from LFS rams sice nearly all of them are imported from Asia and they have extremely short lifespans (kudos if you can keep them alive for more than 3 months) due to being subjected to growth and coloring hormones for quick sale. Bolivians (Microgeophagus altispinosa) aren't as colorful but they should require the same tank conditions as GBR's and they aren't "easier" or "harder" to keep than GBR's. Gold rams are indeed a color morph of Microgeophagus ramirezi.

 

[msquared]

It's worth asking your local independent LFS where they get their GBRs. In St. Louis we are lucky enough to have one that specializes in cichlids and their GBRs are tank raised in Florida. That's where I got my very hearty female. I'll be going back soon for a male to keep her company. It cost double what the only other store that stocks them charged, but it was worth it. If a store can't or won't answer, then don't get one there.