2 × Longfin Ram Cichlids (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

This listing is for a group of 2 Long Fin Ram Cichlids (Papiliochromis ramirezi long fin, 3-3.5 cm) — the flowing long-finned strain of the Ram Cichlid, supplied together as a pair of juveniles.

A group of two settles well in a planted community tank. Fish are supplied as unsexed juveniles at 3-3.5 cm — a male/female pair cannot be guaranteed at this size.

The care guide below is shared with our Assorted Ram Cichlid listing — the long fin is a fin-form strain of the same species and its care is identical.

Long-fin ram cichlids are a fin-form of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. They need warm, clean, stable water and a mature aquarium with cover. This offer is for two unsexed juveniles, not a guaranteed breeding pair.

These small cichlids can be a focal point in a warm planted aquarium. Provide sheltered areas and room for each fish to withdraw if one becomes territorial. Their long fins make peaceful, non-nipping tankmates important.

Where Do Long-fin Ram Cichlids Come From? Natural Habitat Explained

The species Mikrogeophagus ramirezi occurs in the Orinoco basin of Venezuela and Colombia. This natural range describes the species, not the origin of the two fish supplied here. For species-level care, see the Seriously Fish ram profile.

This is why dwarf cichlid temperature requirements are so important here. Rams are not a cool-room fish. The ideal ram water temperature is 26-30°C, with many experienced keepers finding 27-29°C the sweet spot for appetite, colour, and immunity. Their natural environment is also soft and slightly acidic, so dwarf cichlid water hardness should stay low, ideally around 2-10 dGH, and the ram pH should remain between 5.5 and 7.0.

In nature they feed on tiny invertebrates, organic debris, and microfauna picked from the bottom. They are not plant eaters in the way some larger cichlids can be, which answers a common question: do dwarf cichlids eat plants? long-fin rams generally do not damage healthy aquarium plants. They may sift around roots or move a little substrate during spawning, but they are excellent for a planted display. That makes long-fin ram for planted tank searches especially relevant.

Choose a warm, mature aquarium around the fish’s needs. A newly set-up, exposed tank is unsuitable even if its volume seems adequate.

How to Set Up the Perfect Tank for Long-fin Ram Cichlids

A good setup is the difference between a ram that merely survives and one that shows full colour, stable appetite, and confident behaviour. The most important part of any ram care is stability. These fish dislike sudden changes, and they are less forgiving of poor maintenance than many beginner livebearers or danios.

Tank Size Requirements

Allow at least 60 litres for two rams in a mature, well-filtered aquarium, with more space if they do not tolerate one another. A larger footprint and several sheltered areas make it easier for each unsexed fish to establish space. Monitor their behaviour after introduction.

Very small aquariums are risky for rams because temperature and water quality can change quickly. Plan tankmates only after allowing space for the two fish supplied here.

Water Parameters

The ideal water conditions for rams are: temperature 26-30°C, pH 5.5-7.0, and hardness 2-10 dGH. These are the core ram care requirements. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero, and nitrate as low as possible, ideally below 20 mg/L. The species is sensitive to dirty water, so regular partial changes are essential. If you are researching dwarf cichlids tank requirements, long-fin rams are a good example of a fish that needs quality over quantity: clean, warm, stable water matters more than a long list of gadgets.

Filtration

Choose filtration that keeps water polished but does not blast the fish with current. A mature sponge filter, compact external filter, or gentle internal filter works well. Rams come from calmer waters, so avoid turning the aquarium into a river tank. Biological filtration is especially important because this species reacts badly to unstable cycles. Pair your setup with a reliable aquarium heater and thermometer so the ram water temperature stays constant day and night.

Substrate

Fine sand or very smooth fine gravel supports natural foraging and is gentle on delicate mouths. Use planting and wood to give both fish cover and clear breaks in their lines of sight.

Plants & Decor

A planted layout suits long-fin rams. Use broad-leaved plants, wood and smooth stones, leaving open patches of sand for feeding. Cover at both ends of the aquarium gives the fish places to withdraw.

Roots and floating shade can provide shelter, while planting can break sightlines in a brighter aquarium.

Lighting Requirements

Moderate lighting is ideal. Strong light is fine if balanced with floating plants or shaded areas. Aim for 6-8 hours daily in a new setup, increasing to 8-10 hours in a mature planted tank if algae stays under control. Good lighting helps show the fish’s longer finnage, but too much exposure in a bare tank can make them skittish.

What Do Long-fin Ram Cichlids Eat? Complete Feeding Guide

The ram diet is omnivorous, but in practice these fish do best on protein-rich foods with some high-quality prepared staples. In the wild they pick at tiny crustaceans, insect larvae, and micro-organisms from the substrate. In the aquarium, a varied ram feeding plan should include small pellets, fine granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, and occasional live foods for conditioning.

Staple Foods

Use a high-quality micro pellet or soft granule as the daily base. Choose foods that sink slowly because rams often feed in the lower half of the aquarium. This is especially useful if they are housed with faster midwater fish. If you plan to buy long-fin ram UK stock for a community setup, have suitable small foods ready before arrival so they settle quickly.

Supplemental Foods

Frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, and daphnia are excellent 3-4 times per week. These improve body condition and help bring out stronger colour. They are also useful when conditioning pairs for long-fin ram breeding. For keepers browsing Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi for sale UK listings, diet quality is one of the biggest factors behind whether the fish keep their colour after purchase.

Treats & Conditioning Foods

Live baby brine shrimp, whiteworm in moderation, and finely chopped blackworm can be used as occasional treats. These are especially useful before spawning. If you are looking at live long-fin ram for sale UK and want the fish to settle and pair up, a varied feeding routine helps more than overfeeding one rich item.

Feeding Frequency & Portion Control

Feed adults twice daily in small portions they can finish within 1-2 minutes. Juveniles can be fed 2-3 smaller meals. Their stomachs are small, and overfeeding quickly harms water quality. This matters because people often ask whether are apistogramma community fish or is apistogramma a community fish; the wider lesson for all small cichlids is that community success depends on controlled feeding and clean water, not just temperament.

Time	Food	Amount
Morning	Small sinking pellet or granule	Very small pinch
Evening	Frozen brine shrimp or bloodworm	What is eaten in 1-2 minutes

If you are ready to order long-fin ram online UK, it is wise to prepare a food mix rather than relying on one product. This helps maintain condition during acclimation and reduces stress. It also supports good ram health and can improve the ram lifespan.

Long-fin Ram Cichlids Appearance: Colors, Patterns & Varieties

Long-fin rams are small, laterally compressed cichlids with extended finnage. Adult M. ramirezi are generally around 5–7 cm, although individuals vary. Protect the longer fins from nipping tankmates and sharp decor.

The reliable identifying feature of this offer is the long-fin form. Body colour varies with the individual, lighting and condition; no particular blue coverage is promised.

Sexing is easier in mature fish. Males usually have longer first dorsal rays and more pointed fins, while females are often slightly rounder-bodied and may show warmer pinkish tones on the belly when in breeding condition. If you compare apistogramma for sale uk male listings with ram listings, remember that sexual dimorphism in rams is subtler than in some Apistogramma species.

These two unsexed juveniles are sold as long-fin rams. The listing image does not establish the precise colour or appearance of the individual fish delivered.

What Fish Can Live With Long-fin Ram Cichlids? Compatibility Guide

long-fin rams are widely considered among the better dwarf cichlids for community tank choices, but compatibility depends on temperature, temperament, and tank layout. They are generally peaceful, especially outside breeding periods, yet they remain cichlids with a territory. So, are dwarf cichlids aggressive? Sometimes, but usually in a localised and manageable way when given enough space and cover.

Ideal Tank Mates

Choose peaceful fish that tolerate warm water and do not nip fins. Small, calm tetras may suit a sufficiently spacious planted aquarium; check each species’ temperature needs and watch feeding competition.

Other dwarf cichlids can be territorial. Do not assume that different species will share the same small aquarium safely; provide separate territories and introduce them only where space and temperament allow.

Species to Avoid

Avoid large barbs, boisterous livebearers, aggressive cichlids, and cool-water fish. Fast, pushy feeders can outcompete rams at mealtimes. Fin nippers stress them, and larger territorial species may bully them relentlessly. This is why not all freshwater cichlids UK stock mixes well, even when all are labelled “peaceful”.

Community Tank Stocking Examples

For the two unsexed fish sold here, begin with ample cover and observe whether they tolerate one another. In a larger aquarium, carefully chosen warm-water midwater fish may be possible, provided filtration, feeding access and territorial space remain adequate.

Compatibility with Invertebrates

Snails are usually fine. Shrimp are more complicated. Adult Amano shrimp may coexist in a planted tank, but small ornamental shrimp and shrimplets can be viewed as food. Rams are curious bottom-oriented fish, so do not assume shrimp safety.

Species	Compatible?	Notes
Apistogramma Agassizii - Agassiz'S Dwarf Cichlid	⚠️ Caution	Possible in larger tanks with separate territories; not ideal in small tanks.
Apistogramma Cf. Viejita Gold - Dwarf	⚠️ Caution	Can work only with space, cover, and close observation.
Small warm-water tetras	✅ Yes	Excellent dither fish and among the best dwarf cichlids tank mates.
Large aggressive cichlids	❌ Avoid	Too stressful and likely to outcompete or injure rams.

For anyone asking whether these are peaceful dwarf cichlids for community tank use, the answer is yes with planning. They are one of the better options among South American cichlids UK hobbyists choose for planted aquariums, but they still need warm, calm companions. If you want a visually different alternative, browse Guianacara Dacrya - Bandit Cichlid - or Stunning Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi «Balloon» Balloon Ram for comparison.

How to Breed Long-fin Ram Cichlids: Complete Breeding Guide

Rams may form a breeding pair as they mature, but this offer does not guarantee one male and one female or that these two juveniles will bond. Successful breeding calls for excellent water quality, warm temperatures and low stress.

Breeding Setup

Use a separate breeding tank of 45-60 litres or more with fine sand, broad leaves, and flat stones. Keep the ram pH slightly acidic to neutral, the water soft, and the temperature around 28-30°C. Feed a varied conditioning diet of frozen and live foods for 1-2 weeks before expected spawning.

Spawning Behaviour

When a compatible mature pair spawns, it may clean a flat stone or leaf and guard the site. Rams are open spawners, unlike many cave-spawning Apistogramma. The female lays eggs and the male fertilises them; the two fish supplied here are not sex-selected.

Egg Care & Hatching

Eggs usually hatch in around 48-72 hours depending on temperature. Parents may move wrigglers to shallow pits in the substrate. First-time pairs sometimes eat eggs or fry, especially in busy community tanks. That is normal and often improves with age and experience.

Fry Care & Growth

Once fry become free-swimming, feed infusoria, vinegar eels, or freshly hatched baby brine shrimp several times daily. Keep the tank spotless with small, frequent water changes. Fry grow steadily in warm water but are sensitive to swings in water chemistry.

Common Breeding Challenges

Infertile spawns, egg-eating, fungus and poor fry survival can occur. Warm, clean, stable water and minimal disturbance help, but breeding success is never guaranteed.

Long-fin Ram Cichlids vs Similar Species: Which Should You Choose?

Choose between rams and other dwarf cichlids by comparing adult size, water temperature, temperament and breeding behaviour. The long-fin form needs the same core ram care, with extra attention to fin-nipping tankmates.

Long-fin and standard-fin rams share the same species-level care. This listing does not promise the stronger blue colour of a separate colour form.

Feature	Long-fin ram	Apistogramma cacatuoides
Spawning Style	Open spawner	Cave spawner
Water Warmth	Higher	Moderate to warm
Community Suitability	Very good with warm peaceful fish	Good, but can be more territorial
Visual Style	Metallic blue body	Stronger fin extension and pattern contrast
Best For	Warm planted show tanks	Cave-rich dwarf cichlid setups

Long fin describes finnage, while German blue describes a colour form; this listing does not promise heavy longer finnage. Rams generally favour warmer water than many Apistogramma and spawn on open surfaces rather than in caves.

Rams are sensitive to poor water quality and unstable heat. Compare their needs with other dwarf cichlids before choosing tankmates, especially for a compact aquarium.

For other South American dwarfs, browse the collection below and compare each species’ water and territory requirements.

Common Health Problems in Long-fin Ram Cichlids & How to Prevent Them

Rams are sensitive to poor water quality and unstable temperature. Good condition starts with warm, clean water, a mature filter, varied food and careful acclimation.

Signs of a Healthy Fish

A healthy ram is alert, feeds eagerly, holds fins open, shows strong colour, and patrols the lower part of the tank with confidence. Breathing should be calm, and the belly should look full but not swollen.

Common Diseases & Symptoms

Watch for white spot, wasting, fin damage and signs of stress such as hiding, clamped fins or refusal to eat. Check water quality and temperature promptly if behaviour changes.

Treatment Options

First correct water quality and temperature. Move sick fish to a hospital tank if needed. Use medication only after identifying the likely issue, and avoid random treatment combinations. Many ram losses come from stress plus inappropriate treatment rather than disease alone.

Prevention Tips

Keep nitrate low, match replacement water temperature, feed a varied diet and quarantine new fish before introducing them to the aquarium.

Quarantine Procedures

Use a separate heated quarantine tank for new arrivals and observe appetite, breathing, skin and body condition. Avoid mixing unfamiliar fish directly into the established ram aquarium.

Understanding Long-fin Ram Cichlids Behavior in the Aquarium

The typical ram behaviour is calm, curious, and bottom-oriented. These fish spend much of the day inspecting the substrate, browsing around decor, and interacting with a chosen mate or territory. They are not schooling fish, but they do respond well to the presence of peaceful dither fish above them.

Outside spawning they are usually gentle, which is why they are popular among keepers seeking peaceful dwarf cichlids for community tank displays. During courtship or brood care, they become more territorial and may chase intruders away from eggs or fry. This is normal cichlid behaviour and usually stays localised in a properly structured tank.

To encourage natural behaviour, provide visual barriers, warm stable water, and open feeding areas. In sparse tanks they can become shy or washed out. In a mature planted aquarium, they show far more confidence and richer colour. This is one reason they remain a favourite among aquarists exploring dwarf cichlids types and looking for a species with both beauty and personality.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co?

Before ordering two long-fin rams, confirm that your aquarium is mature, warm and large enough for each fish to find cover. These are unsexed juveniles rather than a selected breeding pair.

Plan suitable small foods and a gentle acclimation to the aquarium. Individual colour, sex and pairing behaviour are not guaranteed by this listing.

Review the current live-fish delivery and acclimation information before ordering; seasonal packing and delivery arrangements can vary.

The offer is two unsexed long-fin rams. Their compatibility with one another should be monitored as they mature; a male/female pair or breeding outcome is not promised.

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For other species, browse our South American dwarf cichlids collection and compare their water and territory needs before mixing them with rams.