German Blue Ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, the German blue ram, is a dwarf cichlid in the family Cichlidae, native to the Orinoco River basin savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia. It is a small, colorful fish with a golden-blue body, red eyes, a dark vertical bar through the eye, and iridescent blue speckling, further enhanced in aquarium-bred color forms. It is a peaceful, relatively shy cichlid that forms monogamous pairs and can be kept in a calm community, though pairs become mildly territorial when spawning. It appreciates gentle tankmates. It needs a well-planted aquarium with soft, warm, acidic water and excellent water quality, as it is sensitive to pollutants and temperature swings. An omnivore, it takes quality flakes, micropellets, and frozen foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. It is a biparental substrate spawner that lays eggs on flat stones and guards the fry, making it a rewarding but somewhat delicate species.