Electric Blue Ram vs German Blue Ram

Ram cichlids are one of the most colorful fish families in the world. With around 80 different species, there is a lot of variety to choose from when selecting your perfect pet fish.

In this post, we are going to compare two popular types of ram cichlids: the electric blue ram and the German blue ram, both are popular freshwater aquarium fish, prized for their strikingly beautiful coloration.

While both species exhibit similar traits in terms of appearance, there are also some distinct differences between them, which appeal to various aquarists. Keep reading to determine which one you should choose.

Electric blue ram vs German blue ram: What are the differences

Appearance

Both the electric blue ram and German blue ram are gorgeous cichlids, but they have some distinct differences in terms of their physical appearance.

In general, rams have a very characteristic inverted “T-shape” pattern on their bodies, with black-colored horizontal stripes stretching across the length of their body and vertical bars running up the sides of their heads.

Electric blue rams are distinguished by large electric blue scales around the base of their fins.

Meanwhile, German blue rams feature pale yellow scales instead.

Size

In terms of size, German blue rams tend to be larger than electric blue rams.

Electric blue rams typically grow between 4 and 6 inches long when fully matured.

And, most adult German blues reach an average length of 7 inches or more.

Behavior

Electric blue and German blue rams are highly territorial, aggressive fish that must be housed in separate aquariums.

The electric blue ram is known to be a relatively peaceful species (often kept with other fish species without any problems)

The German blue ram can be much more aggressive, even attacking tankmates with larger bodies such as angelfish or discus.

Diet

Both electric blue rams and German blue rams are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both plant and animal matter. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of small insects, crustaceans, and zooplankton.

However, in captivity, they will readily accept the most commercially available aquarium foods, such as pellets or flakes.

That said, it is always a good idea to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.

Price

In general, German blue rams are more expensive than electric blue rams; although prices can vary depending on factors such as the age and size of the fish.

In most cases, you should expect to pay around $10 – $20 per individual German blue rams.

Electric blue rams, on the other hand, can usually be purchased for closer to $5 – $10 each.

Advantages of Electric blue ram

They can get along well with peaceful fish of similar size.

As long as their basic water needs have been met, electric blue rams are relatively easy to care for.

These hardy and resilient fish make them a great choice for beginner aquarists.

Electric blue rams are omnivorous and will eat most food items offered to them. And, these fish are known to be particularly fond of live foods such as brine shrimp and bloodworms.

Electric blue rams are relatively small fish, only growing to be about 2.5 inches in length. This makes them a great choice for smaller aquariums or community tanks.

Electric blue rams are active fish that love swimming and exploring their surroundings.

These fish are also magnificent, with their bright blue coloration and black spots.

Advantages of German blue ram

German blue ram is a sturdy, hardy fish that can be kept in your freshwater aquarium with little care.

German blue rams are also known for their bright colors, which can make your tank stand out and look beautiful.

The German blue ram is also very easy to breed if you’re looking for a fish that will give your tank some new life.

They can get along well with peaceful fishes as long as there is a lot of space to swim.

If you want both fish together in one tank, make sure to purchase one that is at least 55 gallons, as space is important to these types of fish.

Conclusion

So, which one of these two beautiful fish should you choose for your aquarium? Both are great choices for beginner aquarists, as they are easy to care for.

If you are an aquarist looking for a brightly colored freshwater fish to add to your aquarium, then the electric blue ram or German blue ram may be right. Do you have experience keeping either of these fish? Let us know in the comments below!