How big does German Blue Ram get?

German Blue Ram reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does German Blue Ram need?

26–30 °C, pH 5.5–7, 1–8 dGH, 0–4 dKH. That is only 4 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for German Blue Ram?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is German Blue Ram like to keep?

Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the bottom and is carnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".

Can German Blue Ram be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". German Blue Ram and Cardinal Tetra is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 22Freshwater

German Blue Ram荷兰凤凰

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi · Cichlidae

The most colorful dwarf cichlid and also the most delicate, easy to keep alive but hard to keep long.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 22 · German Blue Ram Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 荷兰凤凰
Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Orinoco basin, Venezuela and Colombia
Adult size: 5–7 cm
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: Bottom
Level: Moderate
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Plant safe: Leaves plants alone

Water requirementsFreshwater

Temp.26–30 °C

pH5.5–7

Hardness1–8 dGH

Alkalinity0–4 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1The most delicate dwarf cichlid: a pH or temperature swing puts it straight on the bottom.
2Best at 26-30 °C in soft, acidic water, kept as a pair or one male with several females.
3Carnivorous on frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp; use small sinking granules.
4Give fine sand to sift for food and choose small mid-water tetras as tankmates.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for German Blue Ram against this one — no need to pick it again.

Recorded as compatibleCardinal TetraParacheirodon axelrodi→

Frequently asked questions

How big does German Blue Ram get?: German Blue Ram reaches an adult standard length of 5–7 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does German Blue Ram need?: 26–30 °C, pH 5.5–7, 1–8 dGH, 0–4 dKH. That is only 4 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for German Blue Ram?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is German Blue Ram like to keep?: Temperament: peaceful. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the bottom and is carnivore. With plants it is "Leaves plants alone".
Can German Blue Ram be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". German Blue Ram and Cardinal Tetra is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".