Ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) care

A colourful dwarf cichlid for warm, soft, established tanks. Sensitive to poor water quality — not a first fish.

Temperature25–29 °C
pH5–7
Minimum tank70 L
DifficultyAdvanced

Food	Micro-pellet + frozen bloodworm
Feeding	1–2 small feeds a day
Water change	25–30% weekly

Behaviour and habits

Rams are peaceful, inquisitive dwarf cichlids that pair up and work the lower levels, staking out a flat stone or cave and turning briefly aggressive when spawning. They telegraph their mood — faded colour, fast breathing or hiding are early warnings, not normal behaviour.

What to feed, and how often

They need protein: a quality micro-pellet or cichlid granule plus frozen bloodworm, brineshrimp or mysis. Feed once or twice a day, sparingly — small stomachs, and uneaten food fouls their warm water fast.

Water changes and maintenance

These are warm-water fish (27–29 °C), so oxygen is limited and waste builds quickly. Change 25–30% weekly with soft, warm, dechlorinated water, and never let nitrate climb.

Care and how easy it is

Not a beginner's fish: it wants a mature tank, warm soft acidic water and very stable parameters. A calm, planted setup does more for it than any medicine.

Lifespan

With good conditions and steady water quality, this species typically lives around 2–4 years in a home aquarium; some individuals live longer.

Common health problems

Prone to internal parasites, and to bacterial infections when stressed by poor water or temperature swings.

If it gets sick

Prevention is everything. If a ram goes dark, hides or stops feeding, isolate it and treat for parasites, observing daily — these fish decline quickly if left in a busy community.

Good tank mates

Intermediate; stable group aquarium

Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi

21-25 C
pH 6.0-7.5
60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base

Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore

Beginner

CorydorasCorydoras paleatus

20–26°C
pH 6–7.8
60 L+

Catfish · Peaceful · Omnivore

Beginner with a prepared single-fish tank

BettaBetta splendens

24-26 C
pH 6.5-7.5
40 L+; 45 x 30 cm base

Bettas & gouramis | Territorial | Carnivore

Intermediate

Cardinal tetraParacheirodon axelrodi

23–28°C
pH 5–6.8
60 L+

Tetras & rasboras · Peaceful · Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

Intermediate; adult territory planning

AngelfishPterophyllum scalare

24-28 C
pH 6.0-7.4
200 L+ nominal; 100 x 40 x 50 cm; conditional pair-only plan

Cichlids | Territorial when pairing | Omnivore

Intermediate

KribensisPelvicachromis pulcher

24–27°C
pH 6–7.5
70 L+

Cichlids · Semi-aggressive · Omnivore

Intermediate

Cockatoo cichlidApistogramma cacatuoides

24–28°C
pH 6–7.5
60 L+

Cichlids · Semi-aggressive · Carnivore

Beginner

Bolivian ramMikrogeophagus altispinosus

24–28°C
pH 6–7.5
90 L+

Cichlids · Peaceful · Omnivore

Compare at a glance

Parameters	Ram cichlid	Angelfish	Kribensis	Cockatoo cichlid
Parameters
Temp	25–29 °C	24–28 °C	24–27 °C	24–28 °C
pH	5–7	6–7.5	6–7.5	6–7.5
GH	1–10 °dGH	2–12 °dGH	5–15 °dGH	2–12 °dGH
Min. tank	70 L	100 L	70 L	60 L
Size	6 cm	15 cm	8 cm	6 cm
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore	Omnivore	Carnivore
Temperament	Peaceful	Semi-aggressive	Semi-aggressive	Semi-aggressive
Difficulty	Advanced	Intermediate	Intermediate	Intermediate

Care guides

GuidepH, GH and KH Explained (Simply)pH, GH and KH confuse a lot of new keepers. Here is what each one actually measures, and why stability matters more than any single number.GuideThe Nitrogen Cycle and Cycling a TankThe nitrogen cycle is the foundation of every healthy tank. Understand it, and most “mystery” water problems stop being mysteries for good.GuideThe Best Beginner Aquarium PlantsLive plants are not hard — some are almost unkillable. These easy, low-light species use up waste, look natural and give fish cover, with no special equipment.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.