Electric Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

Electric Blue Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is the electric-blue ornamental colour form of the Ram Cichlid. In the UK trade it is commonly sold as Electric Blue Ram, Electric Blue Ramirezi or Electric Blue Butterfly Cichlid. Papiliochromis ramirezi is an older scientific synonym that still appears on some supplier lists; the accepted name used here is Mikrogeophagus ramirezi.

The live SKUs attached to this product correspond to the Electric Blue form, so the page is now aligned to that identity rather than the unrelated Blue Red Head colour form. Use the size selector for current supplied size, price and availability.

What you are buying

• UK trade name: Electric Blue Ram
• Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
• Colour form: Electric Blue
• Older supplier synonym: Papiliochromis ramirezi
• Adult size: around 5–6 cm
• Care level: intermediate; sensitive to poor water quality
• Temperament: peaceful for a cichlid but territorial when breeding
• Diet: omnivorous micro-predator

Aquarium size and layout

For a single fish or compatible pair, plan around 60–75 litres or more with a useful bottom footprint. A larger aquarium is preferable in a community. Fine sand, smooth stones, wood and planted cover allow natural foraging and give a breeding pair several potential territories.

Do not assume that two unsexed fish will automatically form a bonded pair. Rams choose partners, and incompatible fish may need separating.

Warm, stable water

Electric Blue Rams need warmer water than many general community fish. A practical range is around 27–30°C, with soft to moderately soft water and a mildly acidic to near-neutral pH. The aquarium must be mature and stable before the fish are introduced.

Ammonia and nitrite must remain at zero. Keep nitrate low and avoid sudden changes in temperature, pH or hardness. UK tap water varies considerably; test your source water before buying rather than making large chemistry changes after delivery.

Filtration and substrate

Use mature biological filtration with gentle-to-moderate flow. Strong turbulence is unnecessary, but good oxygenation and regular maintenance are essential. Fine sand is preferable because Rams naturally pick and sift small food items from the bottom.

Feeding

Offer good-quality small sinking or slow-sinking pellets together with frozen or live foods such as Artemia, daphnia, cyclops and suitably sized bloodworm. Small varied meals once or twice daily are preferable to heavy feeding.

Newly introduced Rams can be shy. Make sure food reaches them before faster tetras or livebearers clear the meal. Persistent loss of appetite should prompt a water-quality and health check rather than simply adding more food.

Tank mates

Suitable companions include peaceful warm-water tetras and other calm community species that tolerate the same elevated temperature. Carefully chosen Corydoras can work only where their own temperature requirements overlap; not every Corydoras species is a good Ram companion.

Avoid large aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping barbs and very boisterous feeders. Small shrimp and shrimplets may be eaten.

Sexing and breeding

Sexing the Electric Blue colour form can be less obvious than in wild-type Rams because selective colour obscures some normal markings. Mature males often become larger with more extended dorsal rays; females may become fuller and show a pinker abdomen, but these are not reliable enough to promise sex on every juvenile.

Rams are substrate spawners and may use a flat stone, broad leaf or shallow depression. Both parents can participate in brood care, although young pairs sometimes eat early spawns. Stable warm water and a quiet territory improve the chance of normal parental behaviour.

Before ordering

Choose an Electric Blue Ram if you can maintain a mature, warm aquarium with consistently clean water. Reconsider if the aquarium normally runs at standard cool-community temperatures, is newly cycled or contains aggressive bottom-dwelling cichlids.

The live size options remain the authority for current supplied size, price and stock.