Electric Blue Ram
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
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.
Température de l’eau
27 - 30 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 6.8
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
7 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 2
GH
1 - 5 dGH
KH
1 - 2 dKH
TDS
25 - 95 ppm
Conductivité
39 - 148 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: 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.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
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 Cohabitation: Excellent with small characins (Neons, Cardinals) of warm and calm waters. Absolutely to avoid impetuous companions (Barbs) or dominant bottom fish.
Aquarium Breeding: 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.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Artificial breeding mutation (Line-bred morph). Does not exist in nature, but derives from the Orinoco basin strain (Venezuela/Colombia).
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesOcéans tropicaux et récifs
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- They possess a generally peaceful, somewhat shy, and delicate temperament. While males will establish and defend small territories, their aggression is largely restricted to posturing and short chases. They require a heavily planted aquarium with numerous hiding spots to feel secure and display their best behavior.
- Régime alimentaire
- Micro-predator
- They are omnivorous micropredators that require a high-quality, varied diet to maintain their stunning blue coloration. Sinking micro-pellets should be supplemented with frequent offerings of frozen or live foods like daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Proper nutrition is critical to bolster their often fragile immune systems.
- Espérance de vie
- 2-3 years
- Taille adulte
- 7 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- Sexing Electric Blue Rams can be more challenging than the wild type as the females lack the distinct pink belly. Keeping a confirmed pair is the ideal scenario, though a single specimen will also thrive. Two males in a small tank will relentlessly harass each other over territorial disputes.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Feeding them small amounts twice a day is ideal to ensure they receive sufficient calories. Because they feed slowly and deliberately, it is crucial to observe that they are actually getting food before faster fish consume it all. Target feeding is often necessary when housing them with more aggressive eaters.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- The Electric Blue Ram, a highly bred color variant, produces a moderate bioload similar to the wild type. Due to extensive line breeding, their genetic hardiness is often compromised, making them hyper-sensitive to any water quality issues. Maintaining absolute pristine water conditions through rigorous maintenance is non-negotiable for their survival.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They require a calm environment with slow to moderate water movement, mimicking their natural South American origins. Strong water flow will rapidly exhaust these delicate fish and induce severe stress. Utilizing sponge filters or heavily baffling power filter outputs is highly recommended.
- Risque de saut
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- They are substrate spawners and form monogamous pairs, although heavily line-bred variants sometimes display poor parenting instincts. If successful, the female lays eggs on a flat surface, and the pair will attempt to defend the site. In many cases, aquarists must artificially hatch and raise the fry as the parents may eat the eggs.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Species only
- They are peaceful dwarf cichlids best kept in a tranquil community setting with other docile species. Excellent companions include small tetras, pencilfish, and bottom-dwelling corydoras that appreciate warmer water temperatures. They will easily be outcompeted and stressed to death by fast-swimming or aggressive tank mates.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- They predominantly occupy the bottom and lower-mid levels of the aquarium, frequently hovering just above the substrate. They exhibit the characteristic sifting behavior of Geophagus relatives, taking mouthfuls of sand to extract food. A soft, fine sand substrate is absolutely essential for their well-being.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,1 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.75
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01445, b = 3.08
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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