Description
Golden Ram Cichlid
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: South America (Orinoco River Basin)
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Size: 2.5 – 3 inches (6 – 7.5 cm)
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Lifespan: 3 – 4 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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Bright golden-yellow body with a metallic sheen.
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Peaceful, shy, and calm – great centerpiece fish.
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Males are larger and slimmer; females are rounder with pinkish bellies.
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Sensitive to poor water – need stable, clean conditions.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: High-quality micro pellets, flakes, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia.
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Feeding: Small portions 2 times daily.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a pair.
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Filtration: Gentle but strong enough to keep water clean.
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Decor: Live plants, caves, driftwood, and soft substrate.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly, stable conditions are important.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Best kept as a pair or small group (4–6).
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Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras, dwarf gouramis.
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Avoid: Aggressive or very large fish (Oscars, Green Terrors, Jack Dempseys).
✅ Do’s
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Keep them in warm, soft, slightly acidic water.
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Provide hiding spaces with plants and caves.
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Choose calm tank mates.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t mix with aggressive or fin-nipping fish.
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Don’t expose them to sudden water changes.
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Don’t keep in dirty or overcrowded tanks.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Golden Rams are peaceful dwarf cichlids perfect for planted community tanks.
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Require a bit more care than hardy fish but reward with stunning colors.
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Can breed in home aquariums under the right conditions
