Black Ram Mikrogeophagus Ramirezi 3cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Black Ram, also sold as the Dark Knight Ram, is a line-bred Ram Cichlid with a velvety black body lit by metallic blue highlights on the fins and flanks. Its wild ancestors come from the Orinoco basin. It suits calm, mature, planted tanks with gentle companions and warm water.
- Adult Size: Around 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in); males slightly larger with longer fins
- Lifespan: 2–4 years
Origin
- Native to: Aquarium bred; ancestors from Orinoco basin, Venezuela and Colombia
- Habitat: Warm, slow, soft-water pools and streams with sandy beds
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, sand-sifting
- Preferred Foods: Bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, grindal worms, sinking micro pellets, quality flake
- Feeding Habits: Small feeds twice daily; sinking foods suit their bottom sifting
Tank Mates
- Best with: Small tetras, pencilfish, Corydoras, Otocinclus, peaceful rasboras
- Avoid: Boisterous, fast-feeding or fin-nipping fish and other cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful and shy
- Territoriality: Pairs defend a small breeding territory
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Sensitive to water quality; line-bred forms can be delicate
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
- Temperature: 26–30°C (79–86°F)
- pH: 5.0–7.0
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres per pair; larger for groups or community
Final Notes
A mature, stable tank with warm, soft water and frequent small water changes is essential; this strain is delicate about water quality. Provide fine sand for sifting, subdued light, floating plants and flat stones. Biparental substrate spawners: the male guards eggs and fry while the female patrols the territory edge. Sturdy plants are safer than delicate ones. Once settled, the black body makes the blue spangling glow.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.