German Blue Balloon Ram
German Blue Balloon Ram
Currently unavailable
We do not take backorders on live fish, invertebrates or plants. Livestock arrives on the shipping schedule our suppliers and the weather allow, so we will not promise a date we cannot keep.
What is in the tanks changes from week to week. Ask us and we will tell you what is in and what is coming, or check back shortly. Visit us or get in touch.
Free local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Livestock guarantee
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The balloon ram is a short-bodied form of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, carrying the same gold, blue and violet colouring on a compressed, rounded frame. The shape comes from selective breeding for a shortened spine, and it is worth being clear about that: it is a deliberate body deformity, it makes the fish a weaker swimmer, and balloon forms are generally less robust than standard-bodied rams. Plenty of people keep them well; you should simply know what you are choosing.
Aquarium care
- Smaller in length than a standard ram, but deep-bodied.
- Swims less strongly, so keep flow gentle and provide resting spots near the bottom.
- Needs warm water at the upper end of the tropical range.
- Highly sensitive to nitrate and to swings in water quality; only for a mature tank.
- Peaceful, and easily outcompeted at feeding time by faster fish.
- Feed small amounts of quality flake, micro-pellets and frozen foods.
Best kept in a quiet planted tank with small tetras, rasboras and corydoras that tolerate the same warmth. Avoid fast or pushy tankmates entirely. If you are new to rams, a standard-bodied fish is the easier place to start.
Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is available for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. Browse the dwarf cichlid collection.
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