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Papiliochromis ramirezi, Myers & Harry, 1948

Origin:Venezuela and Columbia

Etymology: Named after Manuel Vicente Ramirez.

Synonyms:Microgeophagus ramirezi, Apistogramma ramirezi

First European import: Country?, 1947, by Manuel Vicente Ramirez and Herman Blass.

Description:See picture.

Care: Densely planted tank, although there should be enough space for the fish to swim. Some holes and stones, and frequent small waterchanges. Can be kept in a community tank, although it's co-inhabitants should be peacefull fish.

Temperature:22-26

Feeding: All food is taken.

Size:Up to 7 cm, but due to inbreeding usually smaller.

pH: 6.0-7.5

Breeding: Freelayer, the eggs are usually laid on stones. Neutral to slightly acidic water, hardness below 8 dGH but preferably softer. Tank minimum 40*25*25, slightly aerated or with a spongefilter. Watertemperature in the higher regions, 26-30. Combined with frequent waterchanges and live food the fish will spawn, and lay up to 500 eggs. If it's not the intention to raise all the fry it's best to leave the parents in the tank, although they may eat the eggs or the fry if they are disturbed. Sometimes the first spawn(s) are eaten by the parents, but later spawns will usually be raised properly. It has been reported that non matching pairs will always eat their eggs, so to get a proper pair it may be best to buy a small school of 6 juveniles and wait for the fish to form a pair. If the eggs are removed and raised separately, the fish can and will usually spawn again in two weeks.

Sexual dimorphism:Male have an elongated finray in the dorsal fin, females have a pinkish stomach.

Prices:Netherlands:2-2.5€

Additional:Allen(UK) first bred the fish, and managed to raisefrom a single pair 13540 fry in1948, which were ditibuted throughout Europe.

A color variant has been bred, and is known as the "Gold" ramirezi.See the picture below.

Picture references:Picture 1+2+3+4: E. Naus

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