Product Details

Super Neon Blue German Longfin Ram – Mikrogeophagus ramirezi

Overview:

The Super Neon Blue German Longfin Ram is a high-colour captive-bred form of the German Ram, combining intense electric-blue body colour with extended, flowing fins. This ornamental strain of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi is sometimes sold as a Longfin Electric Blue Ram, Super Neon Blue Ram, German Blue Longfin Ram or Longfin Ram Cichlid. It is a stunning dwarf cichlid for a warm, peaceful planted aquarium, but it is more delicate than many everyday community fish and should only be added to a mature, stable setup.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Super Neon Blue German Longfin Ram
Other Names: Longfin Electric Blue Ram, Super Neon Blue Ram, German Blue Longfin Ram, Longfin Ram Cichlid, Butterfly Cichlid, German Ram, Microgeophagus ramirezi
Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
Fish Type: Dwarf Cichlid
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Super Neon Blue German Longfin Ram is a captive-bred colour and fin strain, so this exact longfin neon-blue form does not occur in the wild. The wild species, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, is native to the Orinoco River basin in the llanos of Venezuela and Colombia, where it inhabits warm, slow-moving waters with soft substrates, plant cover and quiet margins. FishBase lists the species as a South American freshwater cichlid from the Orinoco basin, with warm tropical conditions around 27–30°C.

Appearance & Adult Size:

This strain has a compact dwarf cichlid body with brilliant metallic blue to neon turquoise colour across the flanks, face and fins. The longfin form develops extended dorsal, anal, pelvic and caudal finnage, giving the fish a more flowing appearance than a standard ram. Some individuals may also show gold, orange or red highlights depending on strain line, sex, maturity and condition. Adults usually reach around 4–6 cm, with males often becoming slightly larger and more extended in the fins, while females may be rounder-bodied when mature. FishBase lists wild M. ramirezi at just over 4 cm standard length, though aquarium strains may appear larger due to finnage.

Aquarium Suitability:

This fish is best suited to a peaceful, mature tropical aquarium with warm water, gentle flow and excellent water quality. It works especially well in planted aquariums with fine sand, wood, leaf litter, shaded areas and calm tank mates. The extended fins mean this strain should not be kept with fin-nippers, rough décor or boisterous fish. It is not recommended for brand-new aquariums, cool community tanks or hard, alkaline setups.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 60 litres for a single pair, with 90 litres or more preferred for a pair in a community aquarium. Larger tanks are recommended if keeping multiple rams, as pairs may become territorial when breeding. FishBase also notes aquarium keeping in pairs with a minimum aquarium length of around 60 cm for the species.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 26–30°C
pH: 5.5–7.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard, with soft acidic water preferred
Additional Notes: Warm, clean and stable water is essential. Seriously Fish gives Mikrogeophagus ramirezi a temperature range of 27–30°C, pH 4.0–7.0 and soft to moderately hard conditions, while Fishkeeper recommends soft acidic water with frequent partial water changes and nitrate kept low. Use efficient filtration with gentle flow, as strong current is not ideal for longfin rams.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Semi - Agressive

Super Neon Blue German Longfin Rams are peaceful dwarf cichlids, but pairs may defend a small territory when breeding. Suitable tank mates include small peaceful tetras, pencilfish, hatchetfish, small rasboras, Otocinclus, warm-tolerant Cory-type catfish, peaceful dwarf gouramis and other calm community species that enjoy similar warm water.

Avoid Tiger Barbs, Serpae Tetras and other fin-nippers, as well as aggressive cichlids, large predatory fish, fast boisterous feeders and cool-water species. They are best kept as a male-female pair, a single feature fish, or a carefully managed group in a larger aquarium with plenty of cover.

Feeding:

These rams are omnivorous micro-predators and should be offered small, high-quality foods. Feed fine tropical granules, dwarf cichlid pellets and quality flakes, supported with frozen or live foods such as brineshrimp, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm and mosquito larvae. Practical Fishkeeping recommends a varied diet including sinking granules and frozen foods for rams. Small regular feeds are better than large portions, and care should be taken that faster tank mates do not take all the food.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This strain usually stays around the lower and middle levels, picking at the substrate, plants and décor for tiny food items. Settled fish become colourful and interactive, often displaying to one another and investigating potential spawning sites. Pairs may choose a flat stone, broad leaf, piece of wood or shallow pit in the substrate for breeding. During spawning, they may become more territorial, but they are usually not aggressive enough for rough cichlid communities.

Care Notes:

Add only to a fully cycled, mature aquarium with stable warm water. Tropical Fish Hobbyist specifically warns that Electric Blue Rams should not be placed in newly set up aquariums and need low organic waste with regular water changes. Keep nitrate low, avoid sudden parameter changes and provide gentle filtration. Because this is a longfin strain, avoid sharp rocks, abrasive décor and any fin-nipping tank mates. Longfin rams are slower and more delicate than standard-finned forms, so low-stress tank mates are essential.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred colour and longfin strain

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.