{"product_id":"dark-knight-black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater","title":"Dark Knight Black Balloon Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nLivestock is reserved on order — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDark Knight Black Balloon Ram\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e) is a striking line-bred dwarf cichlid combining the inky melanistic \"Dark Knight\" color phase with the rounded \"balloon\" body shape — the result is a compact, jet-black showpiece with a velvet shimmer under good lighting. Peaceful for a cichlid, intermediate-level care, and best suited to a mature, planted community tank with soft, warm water. Pair it with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons minimum for a pair; 30+ gallons for a community setup. Established tanks only — rams are sensitive to immature systems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80–86°F (27–30°C). Warmer than most community fish — they need it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.0 (soft, slightly acidic). Will tolerate higher pH if acclimated, but breeding requires soft water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very soft, 1–10 dGH preferred.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark substrate, driftwood, smooth stones, and dense plants. Provide caves and broad leaves as spawning sites.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFiltration \u0026amp; flow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gentle flow. Strong currents stress them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pristine. Weekly 25% water changes, nitrate \u0026lt; 15 ppm, zero tolerance for ammonia\/nitrite spikes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 small meals per day. Quality micro pellets, flake, and frozen brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms. Balloon body is prone to digestive issues — soak dry food briefly and don't overfeed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eDark Knight Black Balloon Ram\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e (\"Dark Knight\" balloon variant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCichlidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eTank-bred (parent species: Orinoco River basin, Venezuela \u0026amp; Colombia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e2–4 years with attentive care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize at Purchase\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eApprox. 1–1.25 in (adult ~2 in \/ 5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful for a cichlid — gets along with most community fish. Territorial during spawning, when a bonded pair will defend a small patch of substrate from anything that wanders too close. Single rams or bonded pairs work; avoid keeping two unrelated males in the same tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall to mid-size tetras — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-emperor-tetra-nematobrycon-palmeri-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Emperor Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bleeding-heart-tetra-hyphessobrycon-erythrostigma-freshwater\"\u003eBleeding Heart Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActive dither schools — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra Danios\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeaceful bottom dwellers — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/panda-cory-corydoras-panda-freshwater\"\u003ePanda Corys\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orange-laser-corydoras\"\u003eOrange Laser Corydoras\u003c\/a\u003e, otocinclus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther gentle dwarf cichlids in larger tanks — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolivian-ram-cichlid\"\u003eBolivian Rams\u003c\/a\u003e, apistogrammas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/rili-red-shrimp-neocaridina-davidi-freshwater\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e in heavily planted tanks (shrimplets will be eaten)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fin-nippers (tiger barbs, serpae tetras), large or aggressive cichlids, and fast\/boisterous species that out-compete them at feeding time. Don't mix unrelated males.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein staple to bring out color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e — essential for water changes; protects against ammonia\/nitrite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all aquarium nutrition\u003c\/a\u003e — frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and micro pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eFreshwater aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e — broadleaf species like Amazon Sword make great spawning sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eShop more freshwater livestock \u0026amp; supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes the \"Dark Knight\" different from a standard ram?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nDark Knight is a melanistic (black) line-bred color phase of \u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e. The pigment carries through the whole body and fins, with no contrasting blue or yellow — picture a German Blue Ram colored almost solid black with a velvet sheen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnd the \"balloon\" part?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nBalloon rams are selectively bred for a shorter, rounder body. The shape is purely aesthetic; it doesn't change their behavior, but it does make them slightly more prone to digestive and swim-bladder issues. Feed small portions and soak dry food briefly to reduce risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they hard to keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nRams are intermediate — not beginner-tough like a platy, but not advanced either. The two non-negotiables are (1) a fully cycled, established tank and (2) warmth (80°F+). Skimping on either is what causes most ram losses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep just one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes. Singles do fine. The complication is multiple unrelated adults — two males will fight, and unpaired males\/females may bicker. A confirmed bonded pair or a single fish are the easiest routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48781250920667,"sku":"FW1-F9531","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/images_2.jpg?v=1779032926","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dark-knight-black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}