Assorted Ramirezi Balloon 3.5cm

Assorted Ramirezi Balloon

The humble German blue ram has got to be the world's most popular dwarf cichlid. Their striking colours, slight challenge to keep, and great temperament have skyrocketed them to being a milestone fish for aquarists to keep. Through the decades they have been in the aquarium trade, captive breeding has resulted in many different strains of rams such as electric blue, gold, black, and more. These specific fish carry a genetic trait which leads to them having a more compact and rounded body than a standard elongated fish shape; thus trait is often commonly called the "short body" or "balloon" gene.

The balloon ram has at times received negative criticism from aquarium breeding purists who have the view that these short-bodied fish are destined for a poor life. However, under the right, educated, and skilled care, these fish can be a delight to keep. Ballon rams are also found in all colour strains that rams come in, including blue, black, gold, and mixes between these, too. Their compact body often leads to their digestive system being easily prone to blockage and bloating, which is why they should be fed in minimal quantities with food they can easily process. This is why balloon rams are best suited for experienced aquarists. Rams are a tropical species; however, their temperature requirements are slightly higher at around 28 degrees when compared to other tropical fish.

Balloon rams can be regarded as a community fish as they are peaceful and remain fairly small at 7cm max. They are also bred fairly easily in captivity, and differentiating males and females is possible where the male's body is more elongated than that of a female; the male's dorsal fin also ends in more of a point. However, the best method to identify is to get a pack of 4-6 rams and let them naturally pair off. A pair will usually lay eggs on a secluded smooth surface in the aquarium and guard the fry until they reach a free-swimming stage.

Tank Recommendations for your Balloon Rams

Being a dwarf cichlid, balloon rams can be kept in smaller aquariums; however, the minimum would be around 70 litres for a pair. As always, though, a larger aquarium would be far better, and making sure there is a decent floor space can avoid any territorial behaviour that these rams may exhibit. They will also prefer a well-planted aquarium and hiding places like caves. A sand or small-grain gravel substrate would be fine for these fish as they do routinely sift through the sand for food and make breeding pits in the substrate as well.

Balloon rams would be kept with others of their kind to make them feel comfortable and be more active in the aquarium. This may also reduce the aggression they could show to other fish. They are also a soft water fish, meaning they require a low PH. They can be kept in PH as low as 6.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The balloon ram is a fairly peaceful fish but may display higher levels of aggression compared to other ram strains. They can, however can be kept with a wide range of community fish.

Usually Compatible

Discus, Angelfish, cardinal tetras, Corydoras, and other rams

Sometimes Compatible

Larger peaceful South American cichlids such as Uaru, Severums, and other fish, which may outcompete them as they are mostly bottom-dwelling fish. They may also eat extremely nano fish such as endlers.

Rarely Compatible

Large and aggressive species such as African cichlids or Oscars, which may prey on the balloon rams.

Feeding your Balloon Rams

During feeding is when the most care should be taken for this fish as they are easily susceptible too bloat and blockages. The rams will however take a wide range of cichlid foods like pellets, flakes and frozen foods. However do to their compact nature it is best to offer micro foods such as crushed pellets or flake and food that is easily digestible.

Just like any fish, though, they should be fed a varied diet with a mix of different foods. The ideal diet would be a good quality micro slow sinking pellet or crushed flake, supplemented with frozen bloodworms or black worms, or even live foods like baby brine shrimp or micro worms in very small portions.