Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Family: Cichlidae

Origin: South and Central America

Compatibility with Planted Aquariums: Compatible.

Care and Handling: "Blue German Rams prefer warm(78-82F), soft (<150ppm or < 9 dGH), acid (ph 6.2-6.8) water. However, our Rams will thrive in a wide range of water conditions including temperature (72-88F), hardness ( 0 - 250 ppm), and PH (5.0-8.0). Rams are omniverous and will thrive on a diet high in protein including standard cichlid diets, flake foods, spirulina and any form of live, dried or frozen shrimp."

What to Do Before You Receive: "Adjust your tank to within the following parameters: PH between 6.2 and 6.8. Temperature between 74 and 78 degrees F. Rams generally prefer warmer water but this temperature range will be best for acclimation from transport water. Hardness does not matter as long as you have met the above conditions. Your fish will be shipped in approximately one half gallon of water. If your tank is too full to allow for this addition, then some water should be removed."

What to Do When You Receive: "Before you open the box, be sure you have prepared your tank as discussed in the previous section and you are ready to introduce new fish to your tank. If you have other fish already in your tank you may want to feed them moderately before starting. 1) Turn all lights out in your aquarium. 2) Remove bag from box and float in tank unopened for 5 minutes. 3) Open the top of the bag and add about two cups of your existing tank water to the bag. 4) Let fish acclimate in this mixed water for 5 minutes. You can clip the bag of fish to the side of the tank with a close pin. 5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 every 5 minutes until bag is almost full then you may release the fish into the tank. 6) After about another 5 minutes you can turn your lights back on if needed."

Size of Fish: 1 to 1.5 inches