Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

Here’s a complete and detailed guide to the Thai Silk Ram Cichlid — a dazzling, selectively bred variant of the ram cichlid, prized for its metallic appearance and peaceful personality.

🐟 Thai Silk Ram Cichlid Overview

• Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi (Thai Silk is a color morph)

• Common Names: Thai Silk Ram, Electric Blue Thai Silk Ram, Platinum Ram, Silk Blue Ram

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: Native species is from the Orinoco River Basin in South America; Thai Silk Ram is a selectively bred aquarium variant

• Habitat (wild type): Slow-moving, warm, soft, and acidic waters with sandy bottoms and dense vegetation

📏 Physical Characteristics

• Size: 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)

• Lifespan: 2–4 years (may live longer with optimal care)

• Coloration:

  • Iridescent, pale blue to platinum body

  • Shiny, metallic sheen (like silk)

  • May have translucent or pastel fins

• Sexual Dimorphism:

  • Males: Slightly larger, longer dorsal rays

  • Females: More rounded body, pink/orange belly (sometimes less visible in this morph)

🧬 Behavior and Temperament

• Temperament: Peaceful, shy, and social

• Tank Level: Bottom to mid-level

• Social Behavior:

  • Does well in pairs or small groups

  • Excellent community fish when housed with peaceful species

  • Slight territoriality during spawning

🐠 Tank Requirements

🍽️ Diet

• Type: Omnivore with carnivorous preferences

• Preferred Foods:

  • High-quality micro pellets or cichlid granules

  • Frozen or live foods: brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworms

  • Occasional vegetable matter: crushed peas, spinach (blanched)

• Feeding Tip: Feed 1–2 times per day in small amounts; avoid overfeeding

🐣 Breeding

• Spawning Type: Substrate spawner (usually flat rocks or leaves)

• Pairing:

  • Best bred as naturally formed bonded pairs

• Spawning Behavior:

  • Both parents guard eggs and fry

  • Eggs hatch in ~3 days, fry free-swimming by day 5–7

• Fry Care:

  • Feed with infusoria or baby brine shrimp

  • Maintain very clean, warm water

⚠️ Note: Some Thai Silk Rams are sterile or less fertile due to selective breeding. Choose stock from reputable breeders for best success.

✅ Tips for Success

• Keep water warm and very clean

• Use gentle filtration to avoid stressing them

• Keep in peaceful community tanks — avoid aggressive tankmates

• Introduce to established aquariums with stable water parameters

• Provide plenty of hiding places — plants and driftwood help reduce stress

🤝 Tankmate Compatibility

Thai Silk Rams are peaceful and best suited for community aquariums with other gentle fish.

Ideal tankmates:

• Neon tetras, ember tetras, rummy nose tetras

• Corydoras catfish

• Otocinclus

• Small rasboras

• Dwarf gourami (with care)

• Peaceful snails and shrimp (though fry may be eaten)

Avoid:

• Large, aggressive, or fin-nipping fish (e.g., barbs, cichlids like Oscars)

• Cool water species (they need warmth)

• Overly boisterous or fast fish (they stress easily)

⚠️ Common Issues

• Sensitive to water changes: Always match temperature and pH

• Shorter lifespan than wild-type due to inbreeding

• Color fading: Caused by stress, cold water, or poor diet

• Disease-prone if kept in poor water — susceptible to ich and bacterial infections

🎯 Summary

The Thai Silk Ram Cichlid is a peaceful, visually stunning dwarf cichlid that’s perfect for warm, calm, planted tanks. Though more delicate than their wild cousins, they are rewarding to keep with proper care. Their shimmering appearance and gentle nature make them an eye-catching centerpiece in any peaceful freshwater community.

Would you like a care sheet PDF, tankmate stocking ideas, or help setting up a planted tank for your Thai Silk Ram?

*Pictures are for reference purpose size & color might vary slightly.

Delivery of live Fish is only available in Kolkata & Howrah.