German Blue Ram Care 101: Size, Appearance & More

German Blue Ram Cichlid is a beautiful fish that will brighten any aquarium. They are relatively easy to fish to care for and are an excellent choice for both novice and experienced fish enthusiasts.

We’ve been a fan of the German Blue Rams for many years and have learned a lot about how to care for them.

This guide will review everything you need about German Blue Ram Cichlid. We will cover their diet, habitat, tank mates, and more.

So, if you are considering adding a German Blue Ram Cichlid to your aquarium, keep reading.

German Blue Ram: Species Summary

Scientific name:	Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Common name:	German Blue Ram, Ram cichlid, Blue ram cichlids, German blue, Asian ram, Butterfly cichlid, Ramirezi Dwarf cichlid, Dwarf butterfly cichlid
Family:	Cichlidae
Size:	2 - 4 inches
Origin:	South America
Life span:	2 - 4 years
Temperature range:	73° - 80° Fahrenheit
pH range:	5.5 - 7.0
Tank size:	20 gallons or larger
Water Hardness:	5 - 14 KH
Water Type:	Freshwater
Compatibility:	Generally peaceful but can be territorial with other Rams
Nature:	Peaceful
Care Level:	Intermediate
Diet:	Omnivorous

While these fish are most commonly found in the wild in rivers and streams, they can also be kept in aquariums with other freshwater fish. The waters this species prefers are typically soft to medium in hardness and pH.

German Blue Ram: Appearance

The German Blue Ram is a brightly-colored fish with blue dots on its entire body with a black stripe running across its face over its eye vertically down. They also have reddish-orange fins, and their eyes are bright orange.

Their bright colors make them a popular choice for aquariums and will surely be your tank's focal point. You’ll often see a mix of yellow, black, and blue in their coloring, making them one of the most beautiful fish in the aquarium.

Some specimens lack the black stripe but are still considered German Blue Rams. One of the most noticeable features is their large, flowing fins. There will also usually be a lot of color variation among different individuals.

They won’t have the same color patterns as their wild counterparts, and some captive-bred fish may not have black stripes. This species has the classic Ram shape, with a deep body and a pointed head.

For both males and females, the body will become more elongated and streamlined as they reach sexual maturity.

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German Blue Ram: Size & Growth Rate

The German Blue Ram Cichlid typically reaches 2 to 4 inches. Several factors, including water temperature and diet quality, can impact the fish's size. They typically grow slower in colder water and can reach sexual maturity at a smaller size.

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German Blue Ram: Lifespan

The average lifespan of a German Blue Ram is 3 to 4 years. This assumes you provide them with a high-quality diet and a healthy environment.

German Blue Ram: Behavior & Temperament

These fish are very active and peaceful. They are playful fish and always swim around the tank. German Blue Rams are very peaceful but may become territorial when there are more same species of males in the tank. So it’s essential only to keep one male per tank.

You’ll often see these fish hiding in the rocks or plants in the tank. This is because they feel safe and secure in these areas.

You’ll usually see them swimming around near the top of the tank. They love to rest in the current and often jump out of the water to get a breath of air.

German Blue Ram: Breeding

German Blue Rams are a popular fish for breeding. They are easy to breed and readily form pairs; the female will lay between 150 to 250 eggs.

The best way to breed German Blue Rams is to set up a tank specifically for breeding. This tank should have at least 20 gallons and plenty of plants and smooth rocks for the female to lay eggs on. The water in the tank should be kept at a temperature of about 78° Fahrenheit.

The breeding process usually starts when the male starts chasing the female around the tank. The female will lay eggs deposited on a surface, such as a rock or a plant, and the male will follow to fertilize the eggs. The parents will then guard the eggs until they hatch.

The eggs will usually hatch in about 2 to 3 days, and the fry will be ready to eat shortly after that. You can feed brine shrimp to the fry.

If you are interested in breeding German Blue Rams, I recommend contacting your local pet store for more information. They will be able to help you get started with this exciting process.

German Blue Ram: Food & Diet

German Blue Rams are omnivores whose diet consists of plant materials, insects, and small invertebrae in the wild. Feeding German Blue Rams is relatively simple, and several different food options are available. I recommend feeding your fish a diet consisting of live and frozen foods.

Some of the best live food options include:

Daphnia: This is a small crustacean that is high in protein and essential fatty acids.
Bloodworms: These small, red worms are popular food fish. They are high in protein and easy to digest.
Tropical Fish Flakes: These are a staple food for most fish and are high in protein.
Mosquito Larvae: These are tiny, white larvae that are popular fish food. They are high in protein and easy to digest.
Mysis Shrimp: These are small, shrimp-like creatures that are popular food fish. They are high in protein and easy to digest.

You can also feed your German Blue Rams live fish as a treat. I recommend feeding them small, peaceful fish like guppies or danios.

German Blue Ram: Diet Foods To Avoid

There are a number of foods that you should avoid feeding your German Blue Rams.

Some of the most common diet foods to avoid include:

Crickets: These are popular food for fish, but they are high in fat and cholesterol.
Pellets: These are a staple food for most fish, but they are low in protein.
Mealworms: These are popular food for fish, but they are high in fat and cholesterol.

German Blue Rams do best when they are fed a diet that is high in protein and low in fat. If you want to keep your fish healthy and happy, avoid feeding them foods high in fat and cholesterol.

German Blue Ram: Care

German Blue Ram care is relatively intermediate, and most fish enthusiasts should be able to keep these fish healthy and happy. These fish are low maintenance and will thrive in various water conditions.

But that still means there are some things you need to do to care for them properly. There has been a fair amount of misinformation spread about them, so we will clear some things up and provide you with the most comprehensive care guide out there.

The following sections cover everything from tank size and water type to diet and breeding.

German Blue Ram: Tank Size

The recommended tank size for a single German Blue Ram is 20 gallons. But you'll need a larger tank if you plan on keeping more than one fish. A group of them will do best in a tank of at least 30 gallons. This will give them plenty of space to swim and explore.

If you’re keeping other fish in the same tank, account for their size and swimming habits when choosing a tank size. You don’t want to overcrowd your tank and make swimming difficult for your fish.

For most aquarists, a 30 or 40-gallon tank is a good size for a German Blue Ram aquarium.

German Blue Ram: Water Parameters

One of the most important things you need to consider when setting up a tank for the German Blue Rams is the water parameters. These fish prefer a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 and a water hardness of 5 to 14 KH. However, they can tolerate a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5 and a water hardness of 0 to 20 KH.

German Blue Ram: Water Temperature

These fish prefer water temperatures in the range of 73° to 80° F, but they can tolerate temperatures as low as 64° F or as high as 86° F.

German Blue Ram: Water Type

German Blue Rams come from soft to medium-hard waters with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. However, they are very adaptable and can tolerate various water conditions. They will do best in a well-planted tank with a moderate to a high level of water movement.

German Blue Ram: Water Changes

It’s important to perform water changes regularly to keep your German Blue Rams healthy. I recommend changing 20-25% of the water weekly.

This means you can keep them in various water conditions, but you should try to maintain the recommended parameters if possible. If your water is too complicated or alkaline, use a reverse osmosis filter to soften it.

Filtration

One of the most important things you can do to keep your German Blue Rams healthy is to provide them with good filtration. A high-quality filter will help keep the water clean and clear and will help reduce the amount of maintenance you need to perform on the tank.

I recommend using a filter with a turnover rate of at least ten times the tank size per hour. So, if you have a 20-gallon tank, you’ll need a filter with a turnover rate of 200 gallons per hour or more.

Some of the famous filters on the market are:

The Fluval FX6: These filters are famous for their high performance and durability. They have a built-in priming system that makes them easy to set up and use, and they come with various customization options.
The Aqua Clear: These filters are trendy among fish enthusiasts because they are versatile. They come in multiple sizes to fit any tank, and they can be customized to meet the specific needs of your fish.
The Penguin Bio-Wheel: This is a popular filter among aquarists because it provides great filtration and is affordable. It comes in various sizes to fit any tank, and it has a built-in wheel that helps to oxygenate the water.
The Marineland Emperor 400: This is a popular filter for its high performance and low maintenance. It comes in a variety of sizes to fit any tank, and it has a built-in heater that helps to keep the water temperature stable.

Heater

One of the most important things to consider when keeping the German Blue Rams is the water temperature. These fish prefer water temperatures in the range of 73° to 80° F.

If your home’s water temperature falls outside this range, you must use a heater to keep the tank temperature stable. I recommend using a submersible heater with a built-in thermostat to help regulate the temperature.

Some of the famous heaters on the market are:

The Fluval Heater: This is popular for its high performance and durability. It has a built-in thermostat to help regulate the temperature and comes with various customization options.
The Marineland Stealth: This heater is popular for its low profile and discreet design. It has a built-in thermostat to help regulate the temperature and comes with various customization options.

Lighting

German Blue Rams do best when they are kept in a well-lit tank. I recommend using a LED light that has a daylight spectrum to help promote healthy growth and coloration.

Some of the famous lights on the market are:

The Marineland LED Strip: This light is popular for its high performance and low energy consumption. It has a daylight spectrum to help promote healthy growth and coloration and has various customization options.
The Finnex Ray-Vu: This light is popular for its high performance and durability. It has a daylight spectrum to help promote healthy growth and coloration and has various customization options.

Aquarium Decor

One of the most important things you can do to make your German Blue Rams feel at home is to provide them with a lot of aquarium decor. I recommend using a variety of natural and artificial decorations to create a thriving environment.

Some of the famous decorations on the market are:

The Penn Plax Aqua Scape: This is a popular decoration for its high performance and low price. It is made of durable plastic that is safe for fish and plants, and it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The Aqua Cave: This decoration is popular for its high performance and durability. It is made of durable plastic that is safe for fish and plants, and it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The Aqua Craft Roman Column: This decoration is popular for its high performance and low price. It is made of durable plastic that is safe for fish and plants, and it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.

German Blue Ram: Other Tank Accessories

In addition to a filter, heater, and light, there are a few other things you’ll need to keep your tank running smoothly.

These include:

Aquarium gravel: This is used to decorate the bottom of your tank and help regulate the water pH. I recommend using fine gravel that is safe for fish and plants.
Aquarium water conditioner: This is used to neutralize the chlorine and chloramine in your water and help keep your fish healthy. I recommend using a brand that contains aloe vera to help soothe their skin.
Water Wisteria: This is a popular plant for its high performance and low price. It is made of durable plastic that is safe for fish and plants, and it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Hornwort: This is also a popular plant for its high performance and low price. It is made of durable plastic safe for fish and plants and comes in various shapes and sizes.

With a little bit of knowledge and some basic maintenance, you can have a thriving tank of German Blue Rams.

German Blue Ram: Cleaning The Tank

One of the most important things you can do to keep your German Blue Rams healthy is to clean their tank regularly. I recommend cleaning the tank every two weeks using a gravel vacuum and water conditioner.

To clean your tank, start by removing any debris or excess algae from the surface of the water. Next, use a gravel vacuum to clean the bottom of the tank. Finally, add some aquarium water conditioner to help neutralize the chlorine and chloramine in your water.

I recommend doing this at least once a month.

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German Blue Ram: Common Possible Diseases

German Blue Rams are susceptible to various diseases, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Some of the most common diseases include:

Dropsy: This is a bacterial infection that causes the fish to swell up with fluid. The fish will usually tilt to one side and have difficulty swimming.
Ichthyophthirius: This is a parasitic infection that causes white spots to form on the fish’s body. The fish will usually scratch and rub against objects in the tank.
Malawi Bloat: This is a bacterial infection that causes the fish to swell up with gas. The fish will usually have a bloated appearance and float to the surface of the water.
Fish TB: This is a bacterial infection that causes the fish to lose weight and have a swollen abdomen. The fish usually have difficulty breathing and resting on the bottom of the tank.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to take your fish to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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German Blue Ram: Treatment & Medications

There are a number of treatments and medications available for treating diseases in the German Blue Rams.

Some of the most common treatments include:

Amoxicillin: This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Tetracycline: This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Nitrofurazone: This is a medication that is used to treat fungal infections.
Praziquantel: This is a medication that is used to treat parasitic infections.
Metronidazole: This is a medication that is used to treat bacterial and parasitic infections.

There are a number of treatments and medications available that can help cure the disease. With a little bit of knowledge and some basic maintenance, you can have a thriving tank of German Blue Rams.

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German Blue Ram: Tank Mates

The list of tank mates that can be safely kept with German Blue Rams is relatively short. I recommend only keeping fish that are peaceful and small.

Some good tank mates include:

If you want to keep more than one male in the tank, I recommend using a large tank with plenty of hiding spots. This will help reduce the chances of them fighting.

German Blue Ram: Fish To Avoid

Fish that should be avoided as tank mates for German Blue Rams include:

Angelfish.
Barbs
Tiger Barbs
Cichlids
Oscars
Jack Dempsey

If you have any questions about what tank mates are safe for German Blue Rams, please get in touch with your local pet store. They will be able to help you find the best fish for your tank.

Advantages Of Having German Blue Ram In Your Tank

The first advantage of having German Blue Rams in your tank is that they are beautiful fish. They have a bright blue color, and they often have black stripes running down their sides.
The second advantage is that they are peaceful fish. They will rarely attack other fish in the tank.
The third advantage is that they are easy to breed. They will often lay eggs without any help from the owner, and the fry is easy to care for.

Disadvantages Of Having German Blue Ram In Your Tank

The disadvantage of having German Blue Rams in your tank is that they are not easy to care for.
Another disadvantage is that they eat plant material and small organisms in the tank, so you cannot have live plants.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you learn more about German Blue Rams. They are beautiful fish and make a great addition to any tank. If you have any questions, please get in touch with your local pet store. They will be happy to help.

Thank you for reading!

German Blue Ram Care 101: Size, Appearance & More | 2024

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