What tank size does a German Blue Ram need?

A German Blue Ram needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.

What water parameters does a German Blue Ram need?

German Blue Ram does best at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F), pH 5–7 and a general hardness of 1–10 °dGH.

Is the German Blue Ram suitable for beginners?

German Blue Ram is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Species library

German Blue Ram

Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Cichlidae

FishDifficulty: ●●●●○Data: well-established

📷 Eric Mengel · Public domain · resized · Wikimedia Commons

German Blue Ram — Mikrogeophagus ramirezi — 📷 Eric Mengel · Public domain · resized · Wikimedia Commons

About

The German blue ram is a jewel-like dwarf cichlid glowing with electric blue speckling, golden highlights and bold black markings. Native to the warm, soft, acidic waters of the Venezuelan and Colombian llanos, it is a peaceful, intelligent fish that forms devoted breeding pairs. Its beauty comes with sensitivity: it demands warm, pristine, stable water and is intolerant of nitrates, making it a poor beginner fish despite its popularity.

Care

Keep in warm (27-29°C), soft, acidic water with impeccable quality and gentle flow. Best as a pair in a mature, quiet tank; sensitive to nitrates, chills and unstable parameters.

Diet

Omnivore; feed small frozen and live foods plus quality micro-pellets. A deliberate feeder that dislikes competition from fast tankmates.

Tankmate compatibility

Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.

Full tank-mates guide with reasons →

Telling males from females

What works for this species, most reliable first.

Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.

All the methods, with diagrams

Also in these lists

Shrimp-safe fish Peaceful community fish Fish for a 112 litre tank

Frequently asked questions

What tank size does a German Blue Ram need?: A German Blue Ram needs an aquarium of at least 75 litres (19.8 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
What water parameters does a German Blue Ram need?: German Blue Ram does best at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F), pH 5–7 and a general hardness of 1–10 °dGH.
Is the German Blue Ram suitable for beginners?: German Blue Ram is a demanding species best attempted with some experience — it needs stable, closely watched conditions to thrive.

Sources

Water & tank

Temperature25–30°C

Optimal temp.27–29°C

pH5–7

Hardness (GH)1–10°d

Carbonate (KH)0–6°d

Adult size6 cm

Min. volume≥ 75 L

Min. tank length≥ 60 cm

Swimming zoneMid

TemperamentPeaceful

Water typeFreshwater

FlowLow

Lifespan~3 yrs

Try in the calculator