Breeding Ram Cichlid (Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi) In The Aquarium

Location

This freshwater fish lives in tropical streams, lakes and oxbows.

Body description

Body of the fish is compressed. Colour of the body is pink, purple or gold with rainbow shiny spots. There is a black stripe intersecting the eye and big black spot under the dorsal fin. First rays of the dorsal fin are black. Female is a bit smaller than male. His dorsal fin is elongated with sharper tips compared to female’s dorsal fin. Female is thicker than male during the spawning season and her belly is red then.

Temperament and behaviour

This is territorial species. It prefers a spacious tank – longer than higher. One fish needs area about 30 cm of circumference. This fish can dig in the substrate.

Aquarium decoration

The aquarium should include a lot of plants, hiding-places among roots or stones, space to swim, sandy substrate, floating plants, effective filtration system. Water should be clean, oxygen-rich with addition of tannin. A partial water exchanges should be done regularly. These fish can adjust quickly to the new conditions of environment but each change shouldn't be rapid.

Breeding

This is an oviparous species. It prefers to live in pairs. You should breed these fish in a separate tank. Female lays up to 200 eggs on previously prepared hard surface. It usually is stone, shell or pot. Parents generally take care and protect the roe but they sometimes eat part of the eggs. The eggs hatch after 4 days. The fry starts to swim and feed 4 days later.