Description
🐟 Golden Balloon Ram Cichlid
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Balloon variety)
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: Captive-bred (original species from South America, Orinoco River Basin)
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Size: 2 – 2.5 inches (5 – 6.5 cm)
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Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
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Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 80 – 150 ppm
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pH: 5.5 – 7.0 (slightly acidic)
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Temperature: 26 – 30°C (79 – 86°F)
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Hardness: 2 – 8 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Special “balloon” body shape – rounder and shorter than normal Golden Rams.
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Bright golden-yellow with shimmering blue/green highlights.
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Peaceful, shy, and more delicate than the normal type.
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Sensitive to stress and poor water quality.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: High-quality micro pellets, flakes, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia.
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Feeding: 2 small meals daily – avoid overfeeding as they have smaller stomachs.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a pair.
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Filtration: Gentle filter (avoid strong currents, as balloon body makes them weaker swimmers).
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Decor: Planted tank with caves, driftwood, and hiding places.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly, very stable water required.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Best as a pair or in a calm community.
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Tank Mates: Small, peaceful fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras, guppies.
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Avoid: Aggressive or fast-moving fish (barbs, cichlids, large gouramis).
✅ Do’s
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Keep in warm, stable, and clean water.
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Provide plenty of hiding places to reduce stress.
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Choose peaceful tank mates.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep with large/aggressive fish.
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Don’t allow big water parameter swings.
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Don’t keep in high-flow tanks (they struggle with currents).
⭐ Quick Tips
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Balloon Rams are more delicate than the normal Golden Ram due to their body shape.
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Best for intermediate fishkeepers who can maintain stable water.
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Stunning centerpiece in a planted community aquarium.
