Dear Fellow Fishkeepers,
I wanted to share a small, exciting fry-rearing project with you all today, and I’m really keen to hear your opinions and experiences!
My pair of German Blue Rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are prolific, but unfortunately, the fry never make it in the main community tank. I've therefore decided to siphon the tiny fry out and move them to a separate 12-gallon rearing tank set up specifically for this purpose.
The Philosophy: Robustness over Maximum Numbers
The key difference to the common advice is my primary goal: I am deliberately not trying to raise the highest possible number of larvae. Instead, my focus is on creating an environment that makes the survivors extremely resilient and robust.
My Setup and the "Nutrient-Rich" Environment
What I am doing differently concerns the tank setup and ongoing care:
I avoid clinical cleanliness. Many might call it "mucky," but I refer to it as a nutrient-rich environment. It is crucial for me to provide plenty of mulm, algae, and detritus. This "mess" is the foundation for a constant natural microfauna (Daphnia, Cyclops) that serves as continuous food for the young fish.
Feeding and Metabolism: In addition to the natural food source, I regularly feed Artemia nauplii (brine shrimp). To keep their metabolism high, the temperature is about 25–27 °C.
Light and CO2: There is lots of light and a slight CO2 addition to promote plant growth and therefore oxygen production.
Water Care: Despite the nutrient-rich substrate, I ensure high water quality through large, regular water changes. In my 12-gallon tank, I change 30–50% of the water every two days. This is luckily a very quick job.
From the original 40 larvae, there are still approximately 10 fry remaining after the first month.
This might sound harsh, but my experience suggests that the survivors who successfully navigate this selective phase become incredibly vital and healthy fish that are subsequently much less susceptible to illness. Fewer fish, but those that are significantly more robust—that’s my motto.
Do you have similar or completely different strategies for raising German Blue Rams? I look forward to any exchange of ideas and all your tips!
Best wishes, Felix
I wanted to share a small, exciting fry-rearing project with you all today, and I’m really keen to hear your opinions and experiences!
My pair of German Blue Rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) are prolific, but unfortunately, the fry never make it in the main community tank. I've therefore decided to siphon the tiny fry out and move them to a separate 12-gallon rearing tank set up specifically for this purpose.
The Philosophy: Robustness over Maximum Numbers
The key difference to the common advice is my primary goal: I am deliberately not trying to raise the highest possible number of larvae. Instead, my focus is on creating an environment that makes the survivors extremely resilient and robust.
My Setup and the "Nutrient-Rich" Environment
What I am doing differently concerns the tank setup and ongoing care:
I avoid clinical cleanliness. Many might call it "mucky," but I refer to it as a nutrient-rich environment. It is crucial for me to provide plenty of mulm, algae, and detritus. This "mess" is the foundation for a constant natural microfauna (Daphnia, Cyclops) that serves as continuous food for the young fish.
Feeding and Metabolism: In addition to the natural food source, I regularly feed Artemia nauplii (brine shrimp). To keep their metabolism high, the temperature is about 25–27 °C.
Light and CO2: There is lots of light and a slight CO2 addition to promote plant growth and therefore oxygen production.
Water Care: Despite the nutrient-rich substrate, I ensure high water quality through large, regular water changes. In my 12-gallon tank, I change 30–50% of the water every two days. This is luckily a very quick job.
From the original 40 larvae, there are still approximately 10 fry remaining after the first month.
This might sound harsh, but my experience suggests that the survivors who successfully navigate this selective phase become incredibly vital and healthy fish that are subsequently much less susceptible to illness. Fewer fish, but those that are significantly more robust—that’s my motto.
Do you have similar or completely different strategies for raising German Blue Rams? I look forward to any exchange of ideas and all your tips!
Best wishes, Felix
