2 x butterfly cichlid "gold" XXL - Microgeophagus ramirezi - pair DNZ

This beautiful, still quite new color variety of the South American Butterfly Cichlid is not called"Lemon Gold" for nothing. The red eyes shine, and the body of this color form of Microgeophagus ramirezi  has an orange-yellow to lemon-yellow body and just such fins. The body together with the large fins is still covered with bright turquoise shining points. The dorsal fin may fade to a darker orange to red hue toward the top.

"Lemon Gold" is a really exceptionally pretty and rather high-backed cichlid. Microgeophagus describes the behavior of this so-called"terrestrial eater" quite well - the fish chews through the fine substrate for food in the wild. Basically, the South American Butterfly Cichlid is a carnivorous predator that likes to eat bottom-dwelling live food and can be kept in the aquarium with Live food such as Tubifex, Grindal or shiny worms and diverse Frozen food and can also be easily accustomed to special granulated food for carnivorous cichlids like NatureHolic Cichfeed.

The females in the Microgeophagus ramirezi "Lemon Gold" variety are no less intensely colored than the males, but do not grow quite as large. The males grow up to 7 cm body length, whereas the females grow only about 5 cm. They are somewhat more "bulbous" and less high-backed than the males.

In its native biotopes in South America, the South American Butterfly Cichlid lives in sections of soft water rivers in the blackwater that are densely overgrown with aquatic plants. The bottom there is usually sandy and fine-grained. In the aquarium, Microgeophagus ramirezi also like a fine-grained substrate of sand or fine gravel that they can chew through. If this is not possible, however, you should definitely provide them with a sufficiently large sand corner! The edges of the aquarium for butterfly cichlids can be densely planted. Here the fish find hiding places, which gives them security. Free swimming space in the middle stimulates them to activity. The aquarium water should definitely contain Humic substances which the fish need for good health. The water in the SBB aquarium should be slightly brownish. Large-leaved aquarium plants and floating plants floating on the water surface provide shading for the fish, for which they are grateful.

A pair of the South American Butterfly Cichlid "Lemon Gold" will fit in even a small standard aquarium with 60 cm edge length. The socialization with other smaller fish with similar demands on the water values usually works perfectly, also aufwuchs feeding catfish are great aquarium partners. Shrimps or dwarf crayfish, on the other hand, are eaten or even devoured. Microgeophagus ramirezi "Lemon Gold" will live about 2-3 years.

Microgeophagus ramirezi "Lemon Gold" can be kept optimally in soft to hard water and at a slightly acidic to alkaline pH of 6-8. For this butterfly cichlid are Humic substances are vital. From its habitat, the South American Butterfly Cichlid "Lemon Gold" is used to black water, which is soft and acidic and contains many humic acids. Perfectly comfortable feels the beautiful ramirezi at a water temperature between 22 and 30 ° C. Microgeophagus ramirezi "Lemon Gold" insists on clean, uncontaminated water in the aquarium, regular water changes are mandatory.

South American Butterfly Cichlids "Lemon Gold" are very adaptable and can live in hard water, but if you want to breed, you should pay attention to very soft, between 27 and 29 °C warm water. The pH value should be in the slightly acidic range. The beautiful fish are fed properly with high-quality live food and with good frozen food before the breeding attempt, in order to stimulate their readiness to spawn. In the breeding aquarium, keep only one pair at a time, preferably one that harmonizes well. Microgeophagus ramirezi "Lemon Gold" belongs to the open breeders. The females spawn on flat stones or dig a shallow pit for this purpose. The parent fish both take over the brood care. Stress or disturbance may cause the ramirezis to simply eat their clutch.

When breeding butterfly cichlids, it has proven successful to choose a long tank for several breeding pairs as the breeding aquarium. They are separated from each other with glass panes. Visual contact seems to strengthen the willingness to breed. Even after hatching, the parents still take care of their offspring. If the young fish then swim independently in the aquarium after a few days, it is best to catch the parents out. Young Ramirezis are very fond of eating artemiauplia, cyclops, infusoria and microworms.  

Our food recommendation: NatureHolic Cichfeed is a great staple food for all carnivorous cichlids in the aquarium, perfectly meeting their dietary requirements. The tasty pearls are also very well eaten by larger cichlids. Thanks to their soft texture, NatureHolic Cichfeed food pearls are gentle on the mouth and can be eaten very well by the fish.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.