Fishy Tales - Tales from an Aquarium

It took just a couple of days for my two pairs of butterfly cichlids to feel at home, after which their suicidal attacks started. A pair would face each other, and then try to ram each other, which is probably where they got their other name “ram cichlid” from. Initially it scared me enough to call up the aquarium shop, but after some time it was pretty clear that this was pretty much their stress busting technique.
Hailing from S. America (think Colombia or Venezuela), these guys have stripes across their face which gives them an almost macabre grin remeniscient of the Joker. However, their blended colouration of iridescent yellow-gold with neon blue, with their long delicate dorsal fins and spotted markings make them an extremely beautiful fish to keep.
Surprisingly, inspite of their seemingly rather suicidal attacks at each other, and being part of the cichlid family, they are very peaceful fish, and very suited for the community aquarium provided the other tankmates are either the same size, or bigger than them.
Unlike some cichlids this species does well in planted aquariums. Aquariums should be decorated with rocks and driftwood to provide ample hiding places. Given that they rarely grow beyond 2.5 inches, it is not surprising that they are sometime also called the Dwarf Cichlids. Moreover, they are rather easy to keep.
This fish usually prefers the mid range of the aquarium and does best when kept in pairs. Being carnivorous, they love live food but alternate with flakes, frozen food, and pellets to bring out their colors, which is when you will also realize why they are called the Butterfly Cichlids. They are usually found in two varieties - the Blue Ram Cichlid and the Gold Ram Cichlid.
Breeding them can be a trifle difficult. While they spawn in a manner similar to other cichlids, preferring a flat piece of rock on the bottom of the tank, in the absence of something like this, they will often spawn in any area that may be used.
Both parents will share in the guarding of the eggs. They take turns in protecting the eggs while the other feeds. Very few of the tiny newly hatched young can accept newly hatched brine shrimp, so very fine foods, such as infusoria or liquid fry foods should be offered. Microworms are the best food for newly hatched fry.

Fishy Facts
Common name: Ram cichlid, Butterfly cichlid, Blue Ram, German Ram
Scientific name: Microgeophagus ramirezi
Origin: S. America - Colombia, Venezuela
Lifespan: 2 years
Adult Size: Up to 3″ (7.5cm), but often smaller.
Tank setup: Planted tank, with good water quality.
Tank Level: Bottom to mid dweller
Social skills: Peaceful. Can be aggression when spawning.
Breeding: Egglayer
Care: Easy
Feeding: Omnivorous - live, frozen and flake foods
Temperature: 22-26 C (72-79 F)

Filed under: Fishes