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Related FAQs: Rams, Ram Identification, Ram Behavior, Ram

Compatibility, Ram Selection, Ram Systems, Ram Feeding, Ram
Disease, Ram Reproduction, Dwarf South American Cichlids,
Neotropical Cichlids, Cichlid Fishes in General, Cichlid Systems,
Cichlid Identification, Cichlid Behavior, Cichlid Compatibility,
Cichlid Selection, Cichlid Feeding, Cichlid Disease, Cichlid
Reproduction,

Related Articles: Cichlids of the World, Dwarf South

American Cichlids,
/A Diversity of Aquatic Life

The Ram,
Microgeophagus ramirezi,
A Dwarf Cichlid of South
America

Aquatic
S cience

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By Bob Fenner

The Dwarf South American Cichlid Microgeophagus (formerly Apistogramma,

Papilochromis et al.) ramirezi, the Ram, is a quintessential aquarium fish. Staying small
enough for most all aquarists use, not being overly demanding in its food, or overly aggressive,
or impossible to breed in captivity, you'd think this would be a "standard", found in every fish
store in the land. Alas, this is not so. Unfortunately this small beauty has a liking for more
tropical temperature, softer and acidic water than many localities provide out of the tap. As
such, the Ram or its xanthic varieties like the Gold Ram is best either housed in a "species
tank" dedicated to itself or even better, a biotopic presentation with water quality, plants,
lighting and other fish species found in its natural habitat.

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Male Ram

Microgeophagus ramirezi (Myers & Harry

1948), the Ram Cichlid. South America;
Orinoco River in Venezuela and Columbia.

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To two and a half inches in length. Cond.s:

pH 5-6, dH 5-12, temp. 27-30 C. The most
popular South American Dwarf Cichlid,
frequently suffering for being kept in
inappropriate water quality, setting, and lack
of food.

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Habitat:
Tank Size:
Some writers have kept and bred this species in systems as small as five gallons. I suggest at
least twice this gallonage, or better, much larger if you're not interested in maximizing
reproduction, to observe more than just one pair interacting with others of their kind and other
species. Some lighting is recommended for your viewing pleasure and live plants if employed,
but nothing too consistently bright.
Water Quality:
A major failing point in this fish's care and keeping is too hard, alkaline or cold water. Even if
you're not trying to breed and rear young, Rams need soft (to medium hard) water of low pH
(5-6 is ideal) and water in at least the low eighties F., preferably the mid to upper eighties F.,
particularly if you're trying to breed them. Metabolites are also an issue with keeping,
breeding this fish. As little to no detectable nitrate is ideal, and of course no ammonia or
nitrite.
These conditions are possible to achieve with demineralized water (by itself or mixed with
tap), peat use (in the filter flow path) and frequent partial water changes... as well as by
having large systems with live plants, sparse feeding and stocking.

Tankmates:
By and large Rams are good community fishes, rarely bothering any but the smallest of
tankmates. However, they themselves can be easily overwhelmed by other animals that are
too active or over-eager feeders. Plants should be selected (if used and this is encouraged)
which likewise enjoy or tolerate warm, soft, acidic waters (e.g. Nymphaea, Mayaca,
Echinodorus, Cabomba furcata).
Do consider setting up a biotopic presentation with Rams as the focus. There are few "stock"
aquariums as gorgeous as a richly planted "llanos" (freshwater savannah pools) with
submerged wood, small groups of characins, Corydoras cats and Rams. Heckel Discus and
wild Altum Angels can even be mixed with Rams. At any length, using small tetras such as
pencilfishes, smaller barbs like the gold, checkerboard or cherry or smaller Danios as
"ditherfish" is strongly encouraged to "draw out" the shy Rams.
Foods/Feeding Nutrition
Until you've seen a well-conditioned Ram in its full glory you won't know why this fish is also
known as the Butterfly Cichlid. Ones that have been fed a mix of meaty foods, chopped,
frozen/defrosted or live can be exquisitely beautiful, with iridescent blue, green, red, orange
and yellow highlights.
Reproduction
Pairs are best "made" here as with other larger neotropical cichlids by buying several small
individuals and allowing them to match up with time. Males of equal upbringing care have
more pointed and long dorsal fin spines, particularly the third. Right before spawning, females
have distinctively red abdominal regions. Many shipments from captive-produced stocks from
Singapore and Czechoslovakia have most or all male individuals to suit the market. Wild
specimens are available from Colombia from time to time, and these are suggested for
broodstock. Spawners should be supplied with a few flat rocks and real or plastic broadleafed plant cover. Many writers suggest raising temperature from 82-86 to the upper eighties
F. to instigate spawning.

A male and female together...

The placement of the Ram out of the genus Apistogramma is somewhat based on its
difference in spawning behavior compared with those other dwarf cichlids, which are cave or
shelter spawners (Rams spawn out in the open on rocks, leaves, even gravel... maybe
covering the spawn with it if it's fine grade). Up to five hundred eggs are laid in small
batches, fertilized by the male and cared for by both parents. Rams are notably such bad eggeaters that it is suggested that you locate their spawning tank out of outside traffic, or cover
the sides with paper... and provide "dither-fish" (like zebra Danios) to reduce stress. This
latter technique and possibly leaving some light on or near the aquarium may help with

keeping these notorious spawn-eaters from consuming their young. Some breeders remove
the male as his role is largely territorial in nature, others remove both parents or the young
and rear them separately, hence avoiding their consumption by the parents.
Young hatch out in about sixty hours and are moved about in shallow depressions made by
the spawners, becoming free-swimming in about four days. The fry may take newly-hatched
brine shrimp or Cyclops, but a good starter food is the tried and true infusoria or micro-worms
that are easy to culture at home.
Disease
The wild type of this species is definitely more hardy than the two yellow hybrid "golden"
rams one finds in the trade. And though most all Rams sold in the pet-fish trade are produced
in the Far East, there are still occasional imports from the wild (usually from Colombia).
Whichever source or origin, it is not uncommon for Rams to be infested with internal and
external parasites on arrival. Cursory treatments by dealers and hobbyists for Hexamita, other
protozoans and possibly nematodes is suggested. This routine can be most easily carried out
in secluded quarantine with the addition of Metronidazole (Flagyl) and possibly anthelminthics.
Do provide sufficient decor/cover in the quarantine setting, subdued lighting and regular water
quality monitoring and changes.
Cloze:
Starting off with a bang of popularity since it was first imported into the United States back in
1947, the Ram continues to be a small "hit" with its own niche market. Given subdued
circumstances, warm, soft, acidic water and not too-rowdy tankmates this dwarf cichlid is a
winner. Though not a good "beginner fish" due to its shy nature, need for more specialized
water quality, Rams are definitely worth keeping. Blue or wild ones, one of the golden
varieties, with regular or veiltail fins, the Ram is an easygoing, non-digging, plant-uprooting
beauty... just with special (that is, usually non-tapwater) requirements.

Bibliography/Further Reading:
Bailey, Mary. 2001. Microgeophagus ramirezi remains a hobby favorite, although keeping it
can be tricky. AFM 4/01.
Burgess, Warren E. 1982. It's Microgeophagus! TFH 6/82.
Leibel, Wayne S. 1993. A Fishkeeper's Guide to South American Cichlids. A splendid survey
of this attractive and diverse group of freshwater tropical fishes. Tetra Press, Blacksburg,
VA.
Leibel, Wayne S. 1998. A ram by any name is one beautiful dwarf eartheater. TFH 10/98.
Loiselle, Paul V. 1985. The Cichlid Aquarium. Tetra Press, Melle Germany.
Loiselle, Paul V. 1995. Blue ram. Beautiful, small and peaceful- what more could you want?
AMF 5/85.
Loiselle, Paul. 2001. Breeding rams. AFM 3/01.
Miller, Justyn. 2003. Cichlid addiction. FAMA 1/03.
Newman, Lee. 1999. Keeping and breeding wild Columbian rams. A colorful dwarf cichlid.
AFM 6/99.
Richter, Hans-Joachim. 1987. The ram. TFH 2/87.