Enough big guys . . . let's see dwarf cichlids!!!

[Sasha]

What kind of ram is that tear-scar? I love the yellow, red and blue! It's so beautiful!

 

[parker313]

That's a Gold Ram - a color variation on the Blue Ram.

 

[tear-scar]

Species is Microgeophagus ramirezi, and as for the breed, your on your own.

The shop I bought them from got them from a local breeder, and they were given no other name than "Golden Ram." Obviously, it's a balloon body shape.

Just to warn you, these guys are hard to acclimate to a new tank . . . Unlike Bolivians, they are shy, extremely sensitive to different water chemistry, and easily intimidated by tank mates even slightly larger than themselves. I believe this is a man made color strain, and like bettas, they are less hardy as a result.

I had 2 of the balloons originally, but one died. The other was doing badly too, because my 20 was less densely furnished at the time. Fortunately for the ram, I was starting to finish furnishing my 5 gallon display tank. I quickly moved the ram to the new tank, and began to go through great effort to help the little guy. Here's what I did:

• DENSELY plant the tank (these guys NEED hiding places even if they don't hide, caves greatly appreciated)
• Smaller tankmates (at first, the only other fish were ember tetras which are .5" long, and 2 cory sterbai)
• Fed live Brine Shrimp (favorite food)
• was VERY anal with water perameters

It was about a month before I saw him any other time than feeding, and he was still pale. But (this is what I love about rams), it all pays off once he claims the tank as his territory. His colors started to intensify, until you see the color he has now, and he's almost always about the tank, strutting around. He's really the tough guy of the tank now, and acts like it. Really great fish. My favorite actually.

 

[Auratus]

RIP

 

[Auratus]

Only two pictures I could find of my Bolivians.

 

[G_Sharky]

Here's mine....apisto nijjseni female

 

[G_Sharky]

here's the male....

 

[G_Sharky]

here's my blue ram..... Can anybody sex him/her???

 

[G_Sharky]

My ram and the nijsseni....

 

[Sasha]

Thanks tear-scar! I was thinking about getting a ram, but I'm not sure if they go with livebearers and tetras. If I put it in my 29 gallon, which has 3 rock caves and eventually would be heavily planted, but most of the fish are under an inch long.

What do you think?

 

[tear-scar]

Sounds great! Plant it first, unless we're talking bolivians, than they should be fine. He'll cower at first . . . then bully the tetras for about a week (he won't hurt them) . . . and then he'll realize there's nothing to bother him, and then he'll chillax and spend most of his time moving in and out of the folliage looking for things to eat. My rams love to examine moss. It entertains them for hours.

AHH!!!! FINALLY SOME APISTOS!!! I

Sorry about your losses auratus.

 

[samthefishman]

I am pritty sure the good looking rams are male, and the dull looking are female, One easy way to tell.

 

[Crystal]

You guys are making me want a dwarf cichlid tank! Those are all just beautiful!!

 

[lizard]

Just to warn you, these guys are hard to acclimate to a new tank . . . Unlike Bolivians, they are shy, extremely sensitive to different water chemistry, and easily intimidated by tank mates even slightly larger than themselves. I believe this is a man made color strain, and like bettas, they are less hardy as a result.

Is this info referring to Rams in general, or Balloon Rams specifically?

Thanks!

I'm enjoying the pictures!

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[tear-scar]

Crystal-- try not to mix dwarf cichlid species . . . but you can try if you want. Just make sure that there's enough room for each to have his own "territory," including caves and plants.

Lizard-- Balloons are a result of inbreeding. Actually, a display tank at the shop where I bought it from has several balloon rams of an even finer pedigree; they have much longer fins and much more red in the fins and body. They look REALLY awesome. I bet they require more care though. Summary: Clean water, dense plants, and lots of caves, you'll have happy rams.