Above: In the picture, just above, a young premium quality Electric Blue Balloon Ram Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture.

Comments: These are fabulous fish with vibrant colors.

Origin: Rams are Cichlids whose ancestors lived in Colombia and Venezuela in northern South America, but now they live in aquariums all over the world.

There are several variations of this Cichlid for sale in this online store.

Maximum Size: In aquariums Rams can grow to be about 2.5" long.

Behaviors: Rams are usually not aggressive fish, but when they're preparing to spawn, spawning, and guarding their babies, they do become more aggressive.

Compatibility: Some recommended tank mates include: Angelfish, Tetras like Serpaes and Lemon Tetras, Corydoras Catfish, and a smaller Plecostomus species.

Click here to read more about compatible groups of pet fish.

Temperature: Rams live best from about 75 to 80-degrees F. with 78 being perhaps ideal.

Click here to learn about aquarium temperature, aquarium thermometers, and aquarium heaters.

Feeding: smaller size Premium Fish Food Pellets.

Click here to learn more about and shop online for premium fish foods.

Water Conditions: These fish can adapt to most types of water, and so as usual it's best not to try to change the pH or hardness of the water in your aquarium.

Click here for a lot more information about aquarium water conditions.

Aquarium Size: a few of these Dwarf Cichlids can live in a very small aquarium. Perhaps 15-gallons is the minimum.

But like most aquarium fish they'll enjoy a larger aquarium. So we recommend at least 30-gallon aquarium.

Decor: Rams do not need gravel, and a layer of gravel more than 1/4" thick will usually fill with bits of uneaten food that will contaminate the water.

Click here for more about aquarium gravel.

Live plants are beautiful and improve the water quality, and Rams love living among live plants.

Aquarium Filter: Bio-Wheel Filters are highly recommended.

A 15-gallon aquarium needs a Penguin 100B or 150B Filter.

A 30-gallon aquarium needs a Penguin 200B or 350B Filter.

Click here to learn more about aquarium filters.

The addition of Lava Rocks will keep nitrates in the ideal range. Click here to learn more about using Lava Rocks in aquariums.

Life Span: Rams can live for several years.

Keep the water conditions excellent and feed them premium foods, and they will most likely breed and produce the next generation of fish for your aquarium.

Gender: It's difficult to tell males from females, when they are very small, but as they mature the male will color up and grow longer fins.

As the females fill with eggs, they become rounder in the abdomen.

Breeding: Ram females like to lay their eggs on flat rocks on the bottom of the aquarium. The male fertilizes and then both parents work hard to protect their eggs from other tankmates.

Variations: There are several variations of the Ram Cichlid, including a blue variation, gold variation, a metallic blue variegation, and Long Finned Rams, which are all he same species.

Click here for a lot more information about keeping and caring for Rams, including a picture gallery.

We hope you've enjoyed reading these comments.

DrT - 01/04/2014