Encyclopaedia
Electric Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi var. Electric Blue
The Electric Blue Ram exhibits a dazzling metallic cyan blue coloration, the result of a genetic mutation isolated in Asian breeding facilities. This visual marvel is, unfortunately, accompanied by genetics devastated by extreme inbreeding. It is a very fragile fish, with a dramatically short life expectancy in amateur tanks. To survive, it demands clinical conditions: constant 28-30°C, RO water acidified with peat (NO tap water), frozen or live food, and the total absence of aggressive or fast fish.
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Forma ornamentale iper-selezionata sviluppata originariamente negli allevamenti asiatici (circa 2009).
- Origin
- Selective breeding and cultivarsAmazon, Orinoco, and GuianasNorth America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
27 °C - 30 °C
5.5 - 6.8
Freshwater
Bottom and middle
7 cm
Description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: Artificial breeding mutation (Line-bred morph). Does not exist in nature, but derives from the Orinoco basin strain (Venezuela/Colombia).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Electric Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi mutation). Has the exact same morphology as the classic Ramirezi: a compact dwarf cichlid. However, this variant often shows slight skull deformities or gill defects due to intense inbreeding.
Social Behavior: Forms pairs (if partners tolerate each other). Like all Ramirezis, it is peaceful towards other species but fiercely territorial towards the bottom during spawning.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Solid bright neon Electric Blue variant; devoid of the lateral black spot, black stripes and red belly (which makes it almost impossible to distinguish the sexes with the naked eye). Only the observation of the genital papilla or the slight dorsal point betrays the male.
Care and observations
Aquarium Setup: Requires hiding places and visual barriers (roots, thick vegetation) to relieve stress and strictly fine sand bottom to allow it to sift without injuring its lips.
Diet and Feeding: Picky micropredator. Often reluctant to commercial dry food. Administer mosquito larvae, frozen bloodworms, and brine shrimp to stimulate it. Top quality food is essential for its weak genetics.
Water Quality: Even weaker than the "German Blue". Being a weak artificial mutation, ZERO tolerance for nitrates > 10ppm. Warm (28°C / 82°F) and soft water.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Excellent with small characins (Neons, Cardinals) of warm and calm waters. Absolutely to avoid impetuous companions (Barbs) or dominant bottom fish.
Aquarium Reproduction: Very difficult for the brood to succeed; the reproductive instinct is almost completely inhibited or confused in the "Electric Blue" variants. They often eat the brood repeatedly.
Risks and Diseases: Hexamita and Bloat. Driven color variants are famous for having a zeroed immune system; the Hexamita flagellate will hit them rapidly at the slightest thermal shock or imperfect hygiene.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Timido e vulnerabile. Territoriale solo tra simili.
- Diet
- Micro-predatore. Esige diete vitaminizzate, artemia arricchita, chironomus pulito.
- Tank level
- Bottom and middle
- Minimum group
- 2
- Adult size
- 7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 75 L
- GH
- 1 dGH - 5 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- 2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Basso
- Flow
- Corrente debole
- Reproduction
- Impegnativa per la variante selezionata (istinto parentale ridotto). Comprare un gruppo di giovani e lasciar formare coppie naturali. Deposizione su pietra piatta o ardesia. Temperature più calde (~28 °C) e acqua morbida acida come stimolo. Entrambi i genitori curano uova e avannotti (quando funziona). Avannotti: infusori, poi nauplii di artemia dopo 5–7 giorni.
- Compatibility
- Solo con pesci pacifici e lenti: tetra piccoli, rasbore, Corydoras. Evitare pesci veloci, aggressivi o di colore simile. Non adatto ai principianti.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.