Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Myers & Harry 1948)

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is a benthopelagic species that has been widely used in behavioural studies. This is a species that lives in pair and is pacific.

This species is not recommended for the general community aquarium, since it requires pristine water quality and is a poor competitor, although it can be paired with other species, if researched in depth. Groups of peaceful, open water-dwelling characids or similar are good tankmates. On the contrary, it is essential to avoid territorial or aggressive fishes.

Adult males grow larger than females, have slightly more extended fins, and are more intensely coloured. Most females possess a pinkish patch on the belly, although this may not be the case in some ornamental strains.

As a benthopelagic species, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi normally take mouthfuls of substrate which are sifted for edible items; the remaining material is expelled via the gill openings and mouth. They also browse solid surfaces and snatch items directly from the water column.

This species is not fussy with décor. A natural-looking tank might be arranged with a soft, sandy substrate, roots and branches that provide plenty of shady spots and caves, one or two flat rocks to provide potential spawning sites. Dried leaf litter, other than further emphasising the natural feel and providing a secondary food source for fry, spur the growth of beneficial microbe colonies and the releas of tannins and other chemicals with their decomposition. Aquatic plants and ferns that can be included in a tank are:

• Ceratopteris pteridoides
• Azolla caroliniana
• Pontederia crassipes 
• Cyperus laxus
• Callitriche palustris
• Pontederia azurea
• Ludwigia helminthorrhiza
• Hydrocharis laevigata
• Marsilea polycarpa
• Pistia stratiotes
• Pontederia subovata
• Salvinia auriculata
• Sagittaria guayanensis

Some wetland plants can be added to the biotope set-up: Panicum repens, Luziola subintegra, Leersia hexandra, Landoltia punctata, Hymenachne amplexicaulis.

Filtration and water flow should not be very strong, but this species requires pristine water conditions. It is best to do regular water changes of 10-15% than do very large changes once in a while.

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi should never be added to new or biologically immature aquaria. When conditions deteriorate, it can show eroding flesh around the head and lateral line pores.

In the biotope aquarium, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi should be offered a variety of live and frozen fare such as bloodworm, Artemia, Daphnia, grindal worm, etc., along with good quality, small-sized, sinking dried foods.

This species is a biparental substrate spawner and is best bred in a dedicated set-up with no other fishes present. The eggs can be tricky to raise and easily develop fungus or fail to develop unless the water is very clean and of low hardness, however. The eggs are normally laid on a solid surface and spawning occurs. Female cares for eggs and larvae.

During the incubation of 2-3 days after which the fry remain immobile for a further 5 days, fry do not require any supplementary food. Once free-swimming, they should be fed with microworm, infusorian and other microscopic foods for the first 2-3 days, after which larger foods such as Artemia nauplii can be introduced. The addition of dried leaf litter can also provide a secondary food source for fry.

If you want to parent raise the fish, it is strongly suggested to keep them in a species tank with no other fish of any sort. The tiny Ram fry seem to be eagerly eaten by almost every other fish and it is very rare for any fry to survive in a mixed species tank. Also, Rams can be slow to spawn. If your fish just don’t seem to want to spawn try giving them high quality live food for several weeks followed by a large water change and raise the temperature a couple of degrees. This will often stimulate a spawn.