Dark Balloon Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)

Common Name

Dark Balloon Ram, Balloon Ram

Origin and Habitat

This variety is a captive bred morph of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. The wild form is native to the Orinoco Basin of Venezuela and Colombia. In the wild the species lives in warm, slow to moderate flow backwaters and flooded savannas with fine sand, leaf litter, roots, and dense marginal plants. Water is often soft and acidic with high temperatures and rich micro invertebrate life.

Temperature and Water Conditions

Preferred temperature is 80 to 84 °F, 27 to 29 °C. The species tolerates 78 to 86 °F, 26 to 30 °C, with best color and behavior at the warmer end. Wild habitats are soft and acidic with a pH around 5.0 to 6.5. We do not recommend chasing exact numbers for home aquaria except for special breeding attempts. Stable, clean, warm water with strong oxygenation is far more important.

Appearance and Size

The Dark Balloon Ram combines heavy melanin coverage with a shortened, high bodied shape. Base color is charcoal to deep chocolate with metallic blue and gold spangling on the face and flanks. Fins show orange to red edging and clear to smoky membranes. Sexual dimorphism follows the species. Males are a little larger with more extended dorsal rays and slightly pointed fins. Females often show a pink to peach belly and blue spangles layered over the shoulder spot. Adult size is usually 4 to 6 centimeters, 1.5 to 2.5 inches, which is shorter than standard rams due to the balloon body.

Diet in the Wild

Micro predator that picks at small aquatic invertebrates, insect larvae, micro crustaceans, and other benthic prey among sand and leaf litter. It also samples biofilm and tiny organisms on plant leaves and wood.

Feeding in Captivity

Offer small sinking foods that match their natural bite size. High quality micro pellets, frozen or live baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and finely chopped blackworms work very well. Feed modest portions two to three times per day for steady condition. Add a vitamin rich prepared food several times per week. Variety improves color, vigor, and breeding readiness.

Behavior and Tank Setup

Peaceful dwarf cichlid with a strong pair bond. It holds a small territory when breeding, otherwise it is calm and community friendly. Use a soft sand substrate so the fish can sift naturally. Include driftwood, plants, and leaf litter for cover and foraging surfaces. Provide flat stones or broad plant leaves as potential spawning sites. Flow should be gentle with strong aeration. This morph prefers warm water all year. A pair does well in a 20 gallon tank with a long footprint. A 29 to 40 gallon tank is better for a community with schooling characins. Choose tank mates that like warm water such as cardinal tetra, rummy nose tetra, pencilfish, hatchetfish, sterbai cory, and small plecos that handle heat. Avoid boisterous or nippy fish.

Breeding

A substrate spawner that cleans a flat surface and lays an organized clutch. Courtship is brief and both parents tend eggs and fry. At 82 to 84 °F eggs usually hatch in two to three days and fry become free swimming in four to six days. Very soft, slightly acidic water and spotless conditions improve success. Start with infusoria or a prepared first food, then move to newly hatched brine shrimp. Some balloon lines produce smaller clutches and may have reduced fertility, so expect variability. Remove heavy current and keep disturbances low during the first week.

Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi
• Origin: Captive bred variety, wild species from the Orinoco Basin in Venezuela and Colombia
• Adult size: about 4 to 6 cm, 1.5 to 2.5 in
• Temperature: best at 80 to 84 °F, 27 to 29 °C
• Wild pH: about 5.0 to 6.5, soft and low mineral content
• Temperament: peaceful dwarf cichlid, territorial only when breeding
• Diet: small sinking prepared foods, frozen and live micro invertebrates
• Breeding: substrate spawner with biparental care

Tropical Fish Co. Notes

This morph is striking and very personable, but it rewards careful husbandry. Keep the water warm and steady, keep oxygen high, and keep nitrate low with frequent gentle water changes. Condition pairs on small high quality foods and give them flat stones and broad leaves for spawning. For community setups we like warm water characins and heat tolerant catfish. If you plan to breed, set aside a quiet tank for the pair and focus on stability rather than chasing numbers. With thoughtful care the Black Balloon Ram becomes a friendly centerpiece that draws attention without dominating the aquascape.