Umair Gaines
Electric Blue Ram Cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi Electric Blue) is a beautiful variant of its species, known for its neon blue coloration. They are a peaceful dwarf cichlid species and are quite popular among aquarists due to their vivid coloration, small size, and interesting personalities. They are native to the Orinoco basin in South America, particularly in Venezuela and Columbia, and prefer warm water with temperatures between 78-85°F and a neutral to acidic pH of 5.0-7.0. When it comes to breeding, it is recommended to start with a young group of males and females and let them form monogamous pairs naturally. Providing flat stones in the aquarium can help induce spawning behavior. It is important to note that Electric Blue Rams are sensitive to water conditions and should be kept in a well-maintained aquarium with plenty of hiding spots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Breeding Difficulty | Easy |
| Average Lifespan | 2-4 years |
| Size | 2-3 inches |
| Environment | Freshwater |
| pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Hardness | Very soft-soft |
| Temperature | 78-85 ºF |
| Community Friendly | Friendly communities |
| Plant Friendly | Yes |
| Minimum Aquarium Size | 20 gallons |
| Prone to | Ich and bloat |
| Spawning Behaviour | Territorial, monogamous pairs |
| Diet | High-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods |
| Breeding Tank Setup | Flat stones, hiding spots, sandy substrate, clay pots, driftwood, rock formations |
| Breeding Tips | Feed high-quality food and live baby brine shrimp, provide refuge, maintain water quality |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are territorial during spawning, so avoid keeping them with Dwarf shrimp
- Keep a pair in a 10-gallon breeding tank with flat stones at the bottom
- Prepare the breeding pair by feeding them high-quality food and live baby brine shrimp
- The female will lay her eggs on a smooth surface, and the male will follow to fertilise them
- The parents may eat their eggs, so remove the pair once the eggs are fertilised
Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are territorial during spawning, so avoid keeping them with Dwarf shrimp
Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are a popular choice for aquariums due to their vibrant blue hue and relatively peaceful nature. However, it's important to be aware that these fish do exhibit territorial behaviour, particularly during spawning.
During the breeding period, Electric Blue Ram Cichlids become more aggressive than normal as they seek to protect their territory and offspring. This behaviour is not limited to intruders but also extends to their own kind, with males displaying aggression towards other males. Therefore, it is recommended to provide ample space in the aquarium, along with hiding spots, plants, and natural territorial borders to mitigate stress and potential injury.
To ensure the safety of Dwarf shrimp, it is advisable to avoid keeping them with Electric Blue Ram Cichlids, especially during the spawning period. Dwarf shrimp can be easy targets for the protective cichlids, and their presence may trigger territorial instincts.
Additionally, the presence of Dwarf shrimp may also pose a threat to the successful breeding of Electric Blue Ram Cichlids. Dwarf shrimp are known to feed on fish eggs, and in the case of Electric Blue Ram Cichlids, their eggs are particularly vulnerable as they are deposited on a flat stone or in a pit adjacent to it.
By separating Dwarf shrimp and Electric Blue Ram Cichlids, you can create a safer environment for both species and increase the chances of successful breeding for the cichlids. This way, each species has the space and resources they need to thrive without the risk of territorial conflicts or predation on the cichlids' eggs.
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Keep a pair in a 10-gallon breeding tank with flat stones at the bottom
If you want to breed a pair of electric blue ram cichlids, you will need a 10-gallon breeding tank with flat stones at the bottom. This is because electric blue ram cichlids are sensitive to water conditions and require a stable environment with low levels of organic waste. They are also prone to becoming aggressive during the breeding period, so it is important to provide them with plenty of hiding spots and natural territorial borders. Flat stones are ideal for this purpose, as the cichlids will clean them or dig a pit in the substrate next to the stone before spawning.
It is also important to note that the water in the tank should be soft and acidic, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5, and a temperature of 82°F. The water temperature can be raised to 88°F (31°C) to help trigger the spawning process. In addition, the tank should be covered to prevent the cichlids from jumping out, and it should contain a gentle sponge filter or a small hang-on-back filter with a pre-filter sponge to prevent the fry from being sucked up. An adjustable aquarium heater can also be used to maintain the desired water temperature.
When preparing the breeding tank, it is recommended to place various spawning sites in the corners of the tank, such as flat river stones, tiny terracotta pots, or saucers. A large clump of java moss or java fern on wood can also be added to provide cover for the cichlids and to grow infusoria for the fry to feed on. It is important to provide the cichlids with plenty of cover, such as aquatic plants or submerged land vegetation, as well as caves to shelter in.
To get the adult cichlids ready for breeding, they should be fed high-quality foods, as well as live baby brine shrimp every day. This abundance of fry food in the water signals to the parents that it is time to spawn, and they will be more likely to take care of the fry. However, new parents may eat the first few batches of eggs, so it is recommended to place the eggs in a separate container with a few drops of methylene blue to prevent fungus growth. Once they hatch in 3 to 5 days, a 50% water change should be done daily to gradually remove the medication, and the fry should be fed infusoria several times a day.
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Prepare the breeding pair by feeding them high-quality food and live baby brine shrimp
Electric Blue Rams are known to be picky eaters, so it's important to provide them with a varied and nutritious diet to keep them healthy and encourage breeding. These fish are omnivores and will eat most standard fish foods, but they particularly enjoy live brine shrimp.
To prepare your breeding pair for the process, it is recommended to feed them high-quality, protein-rich foods, such as live baby brine shrimp, bloodworms, and cichlid pellets or flakes. A nutritious diet will ensure the fish are healthy and strong, which is important as breeding can be an exhausting process.
Live baby brine shrimp are a great option for breeding pairs as they are a good source of protein and can be raised at home. This ensures the food is fresh and of high quality. To raise brine shrimp, you will need to set up a separate tank and allow a few weeks for the shrimp to grow. The baby brine shrimp can then be fed to the adult Electric Blue Rams, who will benefit from the nutrients the shrimp provide.
In addition to live food, it is important to provide the breeding pair with a well-balanced diet, including vegetables, to ensure they get all the necessary nutrients. Electric Blue Rams have small mouths, so it is important to ensure the food is small enough for them to eat. It is also recommended to feed them small meals 2-3 times a day, only giving them as much food as they can finish in around 2 minutes.
By providing your Electric Blue Rams with a varied and nutritious diet, including live baby brine shrimp, you can ensure they are healthy and strong, which will help prepare them for the breeding process.
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The female will lay her eggs on a smooth surface, and the male will follow to fertilise them
Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are a beautiful, tank-raised variant of their species, known for their neon blue coloration. They are a peaceful dwarf cichlid species, generally compatible with other peaceful fish. They are, however, territorial, especially during spawning, and can be susceptible to common fish diseases.
To breed Electric Blue Ram Cichlids, it is important to start with a healthy pair of adult fish. The fish should be fed a high-quality, high-protein diet, and their tank should mimic their natural environment, with plenty of plants, caves, and hiding spots.
When preparing to reproduce, Electric Blue Ram Cichlids form monogamous pairs. The pair will prepare a smooth surface, often a stone, upon which the female will lay her eggs. As the female lays her eggs, the male follows behind to fertilize them. This is a delicate process, as the parents may eat the eggs or their offspring. It is recommended to remove the pair once the eggs have been fertilized, or you could leave them and hope that they exhibit good parenting, as most cichlids tend to do.
To increase the chances of success, it is important to provide the breeding pair with a suitable environment. The water temperature can be raised to 88°F (31°C) to trigger the spawning process. Additionally, providing flat stones in the aquarium can encourage spawning. It is also crucial to maintain water quality, as Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are sensitive to water conditions.
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The parents may eat their eggs, so remove the pair once the eggs are fertilised
Electric Blue Ram Cichlid parents may eat their eggs and offspring, so it is recommended to remove the pair once the eggs are fertilised. This is a common issue with German Blue Rams, and it may take a few spawnings before they become good parents. If the couple continues to eat their offspring, it can be a sign of distress in the aquarium, so it is important to provide a relaxing environment for them.
To remove the eggs, wait about two hours after the pair has finished laying and fertilising them. Then, take the stone or surface they were laid on and place it in a one-gallon plastic jar with 80-82°F tap water. Add an airstone and 10 drops of hydrogen peroxide to prevent fungus.
If you want to save the eggs but keep them with the parents, you can place them in a specimen container with a few drops of methylene blue. However, some breeders have reported greater success with hydrogen peroxide. Do a 50% water change every day to gradually remove the medication, and feed the fry infusoria several times a day as their first food.
It is important to note that Electric Blue Ram Cichlids are territorial during spawning, so it is recommended to keep tankmates of other species to a minimum or avoid them altogether. Dwarf shrimp and other small, delicate invertebrates should not be kept with Electric Blue Ram Cichlids during this time, as the eggs and fry may get eaten.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric blue ram cichlids are a peaceful species that require a planted tank with a sandy substrate and plenty of refuge spots, such as clay pots, driftwood, and rock formations. The tank should be at least 20 gallons, with a temperature of 78-85°F (25.5-29.5°C) and a pH of 5.0-7.0. It is also recommended to add pieces of aquarium wood to the tank to simulate the natural environment of the fish.
Electric blue ram cichlids are unfussy eaters and will accept high-quality dry, frozen, and live meaty foods. To prepare them for breeding, it is recommended to feed them a high-protein diet, such as freeze-dried blackworms, cobalt breeder flakes, live blackworms, and live baby brine shrimp.
Electric blue ram cichlids are known to eat their eggs and offspring, so it is recommended to remove the eggs after they have been fertilized. Place the eggs in a separate container with water and an airstone, and add hydrogen peroxide to prevent fungal growth. Once they hatch in 3-5 days, perform daily water changes and feed them infusoria several times a day.
