{"product_id":"longfin-fire-gold-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater","title":"Longfin Fire Gold Balloon Ram (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; color: #1a1a1a; max-width: 860px; line-height: 1.7;\"\u003e\n\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 Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLongfin Fire Gold Balloon Ram\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e) stacks three of the ram world's showiest traits into one small fish: the warm xanthic gold body of the Fire Gold line, the short deep profile of the balloon form, and long trailing finnage that turns every turn into a flourish. Blue iridescent speckling scatters across the flanks under good light, and the red eye is pure ram. Peaceful, personable, and a genuine centerpiece for a small warm-water tank, though it asks for more precise conditions than its size suggests. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background: #FFF8E1; border-left: 4px solid #F9A825; padding: 10px 14px; margin: 14px 0; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo things to know before you buy.\u003c\/strong\u003e The balloon shape is a selectively bred compressed body, so these fish are more prone to bloating and buoyancy trouble than a standard ram. Feed small portions, soak dry food for a moment first, and never overfeed. The long fins are also easy targets, so nippy tank mates are out.\u003c\/div\u003e\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\u003eKeep it warm.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rams want 82 to 86°F, considerably warmer than a standard community tank. Cool water is the single most common reason they fail. If your other fish cannot take that heat, they are the wrong tank mates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rams are intolerant of ammonia, nitrite, and creeping nitrate. Add them to a tank that has been running and stable for months, never to a new setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e pH 5.5 to 7.0, soft water preferred. Stability matters more than hitting an exact number, and gentle tannins from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003ecatappa leaves\u003c\/a\u003e suit them well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a pair, more if you want tank mates. They are small but they claim a patch of the bottom and defend it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e small sinking foods. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eMicro pellets\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eVibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e, and frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003emini bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e or brine shrimp. Two small feedings a day beats one large one, especially with the balloon body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAquascape:\u003c\/strong\u003e soft sand, driftwood, plants for cover, and a flat stone or two. Rams sift sand and appreciate a defined territory with sight breaks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e gentle. Long fins and strong current do not mix, and rams come from slow backwaters anyway.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePairs:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bonded male and female will hold a territory together and may spawn on a flat surface. Two males in a small tank will squabble.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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: 640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\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\u003cem\u003eMikrogeophagus ramirezi\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eLongfin Fire Gold Balloon Ram, Gold Ram, Butterfly Cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMorph\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eFire Gold coloration, balloon body, longfin\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\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, mildly territorial when paired\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 1.5 to 2 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e82 to 86°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e5.5 to 7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eSoft preferred\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, small sinking foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwimming level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eLower to middle\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;\"\u003eCaptive bred, wild form from the Orinoco basin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #BBDEFB; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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\u003eThe deciding factor is heat. Whatever shares the tank has to be comfortable in the low to mid 80s, which rules out a lot of standard community fish. Good matches include the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cardinal-tetra-paracheirodon-axelrodi-freshwater\"\u003eCardinal Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose Tetra\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sterbai-cory-corydoras-sterbai-freshwater\"\u003eSterbai Cory\u003c\/a\u003e (the warm-water cory), and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid fin nippers absolutely, since the long fins are a magnet for them. Tiger barbs and boisterous tetras are out. Also skip cool-water fish such as danios, which want the mid 70s and will be stressed at ram temperatures, and any larger cichlid that will bully a two inch fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrefer a hardier ram? The standard \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/german-blue-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater\"\u003eGerman Blue Ram\u003c\/a\u003e has a normal body and normal fins, and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bolivian-ram-cichlid\"\u003eBolivian Ram\u003c\/a\u003e is the toughest of the group and tolerates ordinary community temperatures. For another balloon in a very different color, see the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/dark-knight-black-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater\"\u003eDark Knight Black Balloon Ram\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\/hikari-micro-pellets\"\u003eHikari Micro Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e sized for a small mouth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-vibra-bites-sinking-pellet-fish-food\"\u003eHikari Vibra Bites\u003c\/a\u003e bloodworm-style sinking food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Mini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e frozen conditioning food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/seachem-prime-complete-concentrated-water-conditioner\"\u003eSeachem Prime\u003c\/a\u003e water conditioner for every water change\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-catappa-leaves-10pk\"\u003eFritz Catappa Leaves\u003c\/a\u003e for gentle tannins and softer water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive plants\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and territory breaks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the balloon part actually mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a selectively bred short-body trait, a compressed spine that gives the fish its round profile. It is cosmetic in appearance but structural in effect: less room inside for the digestive tract and swim bladder. That is why careful feeding matters more with a balloon than with a standard ram. If that trade-off is not for you, the standard-bodied German Blue Ram is the same species without it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do they need such warm water?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWild rams come from shallow, sun-warmed Orinoco backwaters. At 78°F they are sluggish, eat poorly, and pick up infections. At 82 to 86°F they color up, feed hard, and behave normally. It is the one parameter worth getting right above all others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre rams beginner fish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are sold as though they are, but honestly no. They need heat, a mature tank, and clean water, and they punish shortcuts. Anyone who has kept a stable planted tank for a while will do fine with them. A brand new setup usually will not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the long fins get damaged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly if you give something a reason to nip them, or run heavy flow. In a calm tank with peaceful tank mates the finnage stays intact and keeps growing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA male and female pair is ideal and they often bond. Two males need space and sight breaks or they will spar over territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49182244602075,"sku":"SQ-CICHLIDRAMLONG-2","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/3f1e8159-a152-4297-bf9b-db78aad3fd36_2_cde961e3-4761-4cf2-8f11-16c32b4d1341.jpg?v=1787702941","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/longfin-fire-gold-balloon-ram-mikrogeophagus-ramirezi-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}