RAM CICHLID

6Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

6Pronunciation: Mee-crow-gay-oh-fay-guss rrah-mee-ray-zee

6Size: To 4cm, fish considerably larger than this may be German

blue rams

6Origin: South American, mainly in the Orinoco region of Venezuela

and Colombia

6Habitat: Slow moving streams and static bodies of water such as

oxbows

6Tank size: 60x30x30cm

6Water requirements: Soft and acidic to neutral water; 4.5-7.0pH,

1-5°H (for wild caught fish)

6Temperature: 27-32°C

6Temperament: Can be feisty with other dwarf cichlids, otherwise peaceful, but its water and temperature requirements make it less than suited to the community tank

6Feeding: Wholly unfussy, offer flakes,

pellets, live and frozen Daphnia, bloodworm

6Availability and cost: Wild types harder to find than farmed variants, prices starting

£6 or so, but higher for unusual line-bred species like Dark knights