Longfin Balloon Blue Ram - (No Online Purchases)

• Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
• Common names: Longfin Balloon Blue Ram, Longfin Electric Blue Balloon Ram, Blue Ram
• Type: Small South American dwarf cichlid
• Adult size: Around 5–6 cm
• Lifespan: Approximately 2–3 years with good care
• Temperament: Generally peaceful, but can become territorial when breeding
• Care level: Moderate
• Swimming level: Bottom to middle of the aquarium
• Diet: Omnivorous — sinking pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia
• Temperature: 26–30°C, with around 27–29°C being a good target
• pH: 5.5–7.0
• Water: Soft to moderately soft, clean and very stable
• Tank size: Around 60–75 L+ for a pair
• Tank setup: Plants, driftwood, rocks and open areas of fine substrate. Gentle filtration is preferable because of their long fins.
• Tank mates: Peaceful warm-water fish such as small tetras, rasboras and other non-aggressive community fish. Avoid fin-nippers.
• Breeding: Egg layers that usually form pairs and guard their eggs and fry.

The Balloon form has a shorter, deeper body shape, while the Longfin form has extended flowing fins. Blue/Electric Blue varieties have strong blue iridescence with yellow/orange colouring and red around the eyes.

Important: Rams are quite sensitive to poor water quality and sudden changes, so they are best added to a mature, stable aquarium rather than a newly established tank.