Tips on Keeping and Feeding Ram Cichlids
The ram cichlid is a freshwater fish from South America that has become a popular aquarium fish, not least because of its colourful appearance. In the following you will find out what to look out for when keeping ram cichlids and which food is suitable for them.
Ram Cichlid Profile
- Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
- Origin: South America (Columbia and Venezuela)
- Size: up to 6 cm (2.4 inches)
- Life span: around 3 years
- Aquarium minimum size: 60 cm (24 inches) length
- Recommended water temperature: 26 - 31 °C (78.8 – 87.8 °F)
- Diet: carnivorous, includes insect larvae and daphnia
Characteristics of the Ram Cichlid
The male ram cichlid grows to around six centimetres, whereas females rarely reach a length of more than four centimetres. The slightly high-backed body of the ram cichlid is elongated and moderately flattened on the sides.
The colouring of ram cichlids can vary. The rear part of the fish's body is mostly blue. The front part of the body can be coloured reddish-yellow, orange-yellow or yellow-gold. The flanks of ram cichlids have several, often faint, transverse bands. The fins are reddish or yellowish in colour. Additionally they have a red border and blue to turquoise dots.
Males can be distinguished from their female counterparts not only by their size but also by their dorsal fin. In male ram cichlids it has an elongated second beam and is usually also elongated in the rear area.
Ram Cichlid Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of ram cichlids is around three years. Whether they actually reach this age significantly depends on how well they are housed and cared for.
Ram Cichlid Origin
The ram cichlid is native to South America, where it is found in both Colombia and Venezuela. It lives in slowly flowing streams with clear water and dense vegetation as well as in the bank areas of lakes with cloudy water.
The ram cichlid has been known as an aquarium fish for more than six decades and is still very popular thanks to its attractive, colourful appearance.
Keeping Ram Cichlids
Keeping ram cichlids is relatively difficult and cannot be compared to keeping classic aquarium fish for beginners, such as guppies. The fish need ideal living conditions in order to feel good and develop healthily.
The water in your aquarium should be relatively warm with a temperature of 26 to 31 ° C and the pH level between 5 and 6.5. Ram cichlids are sensitive to increased nitrate and nitrite levels. It is recommended to carry out a partial water change once a week.
A small tank with a length of 60 centimetres is sufficient for a single pair. However, if several ram cichlid pairs are to be kept together, a significantly larger aquarium is required due to their territorial behaviour.
Setting up a Fish Tank for Ram Cichlids
Ram cichlids need places to hide in their aquarium. Turned over flower pots, roots or structures made of stones are suitable for this. The edges of the pool can be densely planted. However, please ensure that the fish still have some space to swim in. With some floating plants, the aquarium can also be darkened a little, which ram cichlids prefer, as most dwarf cichlids do.
Socialising Ram Cichlids
Ram cichlids form pairs and show pronounced territorial behaviour. It is therefore important to keep one female for every male. Depending on the size of the pool, several pairs can be kept, each of which defines its own territory.
Ram cichlids are generally quite peaceful towards other aquatic animals. When choosing tank mates, you should ensure that they are also peaceful fish that are not much larger than them. Experience has shown that various tetra species, also from South America, are a good choice.
Breeding Ram Cichlids
The ram cichlid is a so-called open breeder. Both parents take responsibility for the care of the brood. It is comparatively difficult to breed this fish species. To spawn, the pair that belongs together needs to be transferred to a breeding tank. The water therein must be nitrate-free, have a temperature of around 29 ° C and a pH level of around 5.
The ram cichlid larvae hatch after around two to three days. The parents bring them into previously prepared pits, which can be up to three centimetres deep. A good week later, the young ram cichlids finally swim free. Artemia larvae are initially used for their feeding.
Ram Cichlid Diseases
Ram cichlids are considered to be relatively sensitive aquarium inhabitants. If the housing and water conditions do not meet their needs, it is therefore not unusual for the fish to become ill. Animals imported from Asia are considered particularly vulnerable because they are weakened during transport. Accordingly, it is advisable to give preference to animals bred locally when buying ram cichlids.
Possible fish diseases that can occur in ram cichlids include fin rot and ascites. In addition, fungal infections and an infestation with parasites, such as the camallanus worm, can also occur.
Ram Cichlid Diet
For the health and well-being of ram cichlids, it is not only important to ensure that the water values are appropriate. In addition, it is of course crucial that the fish are fed in accordance with their needs.
In the wild, ram cichlids feed predominantly on water fleas and insect larvae. When kept in an aquarium, they can be given frozen food and a good granulated food which is suitable for dwarf cichlids, in addition to live food.
Aquaris Fish Food for Ram Cichlids
With Aquaris Tropical Granulate, you are choosing a high-quality product made from carefully selected raw materials for the feeding of your ram cichlids. The fish food from Aquaris is easily digestible and reliably supplies your aquarium fish with all essential nutrients. It is also characterised by its easy digestibility, so that excessive pollution of the water by the excretions of the fish can be avoided.