Ram Cichlid

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Data Sheet
Scientific Name:	Microgeophagus ramierzi, Papilochromis ramirezi,
Other Names:	Ram, Blue ram, German blue ram, Asian ram,Butterfly cichlid, Ramirez's dwarf cichlid, Dwarf butterfly cichlid and Ramirezi
Origin:	South Africa
Adult Size:	4 inches (10 cm)
Social:	Good
Lifespan:	2 years
Tank Level:	Mid to Top
Minimum Tank Size:	15 gallons
Diet:	Omnivore
Breeding:	Egg Layer
Care:	Intermediate
Ideal pH:	5-7.5
Temperature:	79 - 83°F (26 to 28 C)
Tank setup:	The Rams should have a large well planted tank with plenty of caves, driftwood and other hiding places.
Sexing:	The female has a crimson belly and the male has longer dorsal fins.

Description: Ram Cichlids are stocky in shape and can be differentiate from their dorsal fin rays - the first Dorsal fin rays are not connected to each other at the tips. In Male Cichlids, the third and forth rays are longer than others. A black vertical line runs across the eye and red patch around it. Ram Cichlids are one of the most beautiful cichlids, and there are many species of Ram Cichlids. Each species has their own unique coloration, from the German Blue which has attractive blue coloration on its body to the Microgeophagus ramierzi, which has a wide combination of colors on its body. Habitat/Care: Ram cichlids come from South America, and are found in the rivers of Venezuela, and Columbia. They require a warmer waters, and having water temperature of 79 - 83°F (26 to 28 C) is ideal. Ram Cichlids requires established water and can be picky eaters at first - and may die relatively quickly if the water condition is too cold or if the waters is not 'old' enough. As with other cichlids, there should be some hiding places provided in the tank. For Ram Cichlids, the interior decor is very important, the tank should be provided with rocks, plants and hiding place for shelter when there is aggression especially during the breeding period. These fish are noted to be fussy about their surroundings - should it be unhappy with its surrounding, it will go to a corner and gradually lose its coloration. For this reason, they are not recommended for beginners. Mixing with other fishes: Ram Cichlids look best when keep in groups of their own kind. It is not recommended to keep them with other Cichlids, as their small size would mean that they will get bullied. Ideally, Ram Cichlids should be kept with fish that are slow-moving, as these fishes tend to hide if made nervous. Smalll tetras, barbs, and evenHeckel Discus fish can be kept in the same aquarium as Ram Cichlids. Diet: Ram Cichlids are omnivores. While they will accept most flake food, frozen or live foods are preferred. It has been noted that Rams that are newly introduced to the aquarium sometimes tend to picky eaters, refusing food or just nibbling. To encourage them to eat, it is recommended that frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and live foods are given to these fishes. As it is observed that they are starting to eat more freely, slowly, pellets, flakes and other foods can be fed. Breeding: Once sexually mature, the species forms monogamous pairs prior to spawning. The species is known to lay its small 0.9 - 1.5 mm adhesive eggs on flattened stones or directly into small depressions dug in the gravel. Like many cichlids, M. ramirezi practices biparental brood care with both the male and the female playing roles in egg-tending and territorial defence. Typical clutch size for the species is 150-300 eggs, though larger clutches up to 500 have been reported. Parental M. ramirezi have been observed to fan water over their eggs which hatch in 40 hours at 29 ºC (84.2 ºF). The larvae are not free-swimming for 5 days after which they are escorted by the male or the female in dense school for foraging

Disease: Ram Cichlid, like any other fish, may occasionally suffer from some diseases from time to time. These diseases may be due to infections by bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Thankfully there are a wide range of commercial solutions available to treat your pet. These solutions can be usually purchase from your local pet store. Sluggishness, color loss, fraying of fins, bloating, inflammation of the skin, the fins, and the internal organs, bulging and cloudiness of the eyes, sores and abscesses, and breathing difficulties, are all symptoms of bacterial infections. Exophthalmia, or Pop-eye (bulging eyes), and ulcers are among some of the bacterial infections. Fungal infections may result in the fish darting across the aquarium somewhat erratically. Symptoms may also include the growth of cotton-like tufts over the mouths, eyes, or skin. Infections by parasites may also lead to sluggishness, heavy breathing, appetite loss, growth of mucus on the body, visible spots, worms, and scratching. Leeches, anchor worms, and lice are some Cichlid parasites. Another very common cichlid disease is Ich or Ichtyophthirius. With this white salt-like marks appear on the head first, and then spread over the whole body. Breathing is quick, the fish scratches a lot, and the eyes and fins, both, become cloudy. If the abdomen is swollen, and if there are red scales surrounding this area, it is probable that your cichlid is suffering from Dropsy. This could be due to bacteria, parasites, or cancer. Salt treatment is recommended to cure this disease. Finrot , Ammonia Poisoning, and Fish Pox are usually due to poor maintenance of water quality. To ensure that your fish is healthy, it is highly recommended that at least 20% of the water be changed regularly.

References Cited:

1. Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 12 May 2008, http://www.grizzlyrun.com/Pets/Fish/Freshwater_Fish/Ram_Cichlid/Default.htm

2. Microgeophagus ramierzi [Online], Available, Accessed 12 May 2008, http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Ram-Cichlid.html

3. Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 13 May 2008, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_cichlid

4. German Blue Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed, 14 May 2008 http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm

5. Cichlid Disease,Pooja Chakrabarty [Online], Available, Accessed, 15 May 2008
http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Cichlid-Disease.html

6. German Blue Ram Cichlid, [Online], Available, Accessed 15 May 2008, http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummagazine/dec07/blue-ram-cichlid.htm

DiamondBack Terrapins

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Data Sheet Scientific Name: Malaclemys Family: Terrapins Origin: USA Adult Size: 5 inches (12.5 cm) for males, and 7.5 inches(19 cm) for females Social: Baby Turtles can be kept together, but adults may not. Lifespan: 50 years+ Minimum Tank Size: A 12 x 6 x 6 inches (30 x 15 x 15 cm) tank would be suitable for a single small terrapins up to 10 cm (4 inches) shell length. Diet: Omnivorous Breeding: Egg layer Care: Intermediate. Ideal pH: 6.5-7.5 Temperature: Tolerates a wide range of temperature. Tank setup: Place the terrapin in a tank with shallow water, some logs or rock so that it can sun itself. Sexing: Females are much large than males.

Baby DiamondBack TerrapinDiamond Terrapin Eggs

Ornate Orange Diamondback Terrapin A large female Diamondback Terrapin Some Diamondback Terrapins has horns on their shell.

Description: Diamondback Terrapins' shell is covered with scales or plates called scutes that bear deep, diamond-shaped growth rings. The pattern and coloration is dependent on the species of the turtle, although most species tend to be brown to grey, with some yellow markings. Regardless of the species of Diamondback Terrapins, all of them has a distinctive, unique, wiggly black markings or spots on the white colored head and body. Habitat/Care: Diamondback Terrapins are native to brackish coastal swamps in eastern and southern United States of America. The Diamondback Terrapin is believed to be the only turtle in the world that lives exclusively in brackish-water areas. In these areas, such as tidal marshes, estuaries, and lagoons, and the water contains some salt. In winter, these terrapins hibernate. Diamondback Terrapins usually dig a hole in the mud and bury themselves in mud of at least 2 inches thick. They do not resurface until the winter is over. To replicate these settings, it is recommended that tanks for Diamondback Terrapins contains a mix of wet sand, and some brackish waters with slow current. There are a large number of commercial solutions that are able to reproduce brackish water effect in the market - do check with your local pet store. A heater may be required so that your turtle will not hibernate. Diet: The diamondback terrapin eats snails, clams, small fishes, crabs, and some marsh plants, and cheerfully accept most commercial food for terrapins and turtles. It is recommended that their diet be supplemented occasionally with live food such as small fishes. Breeding: As mentioned above, female terrapins are much larger than males, averaging about 7.5 inches compared to 5 inches for the male. Females reproduce when they are between 8 and 13 years old. In the summer, they move from marsh creeks onto beaches and dunes to lay their pinkish-white eggs in 6-inch-deep nests in the sand. After 60–120 days, the inch-long hatchlings emerge from the nest and enter the nearest water.

Different Species of DiamondBack Terrapins The following is a table from Enchanted forest Creek website, describing the different species of Diamondback terrapin in detail. Northern Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin terrapin Carapace: lightly sculpted, black to light brown with slight dorsal keel and concentric markings. Skin: light specks and/or streaks with brighter individuals possessing bold spots and dashes. Color varies from dark gray to white. Distinguishing feature: the main subspecies available in herpetoculture. Carolinan Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin centrata Carapace: smooth, black, olive to ivory with dorsal keel almost absent. Sides of the carapace tend to run almost parallel to each other. Concentric markings are present and are sometimes faded, giving a marble effect. Skin: light specks and/or streaks with brighter individuals possessing bold spots and dashes. Color varies from dark gray to white. Distinguishing feature: carapace features and larger head. Florida East Coast Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin tequesta Carapace: deeply sculpted, black to gray with sometimes lighter scute centers with slight dorsal keel. Concentric rings are generally absent. Skin: thin, with mostly specks or large spots; and even patternless. Color is usually gray or white. Mustache is normally present. Distinguishing feature: lack of concentric carapace markings. Mangrove Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum Carapace: smooth, black to light brown with slight dorsal keel and concentric markings. Skin: spotted or streaked against a background of gray.Can also come with bold spots and dashes like the northern and carolinan subspecies. Distinguishing feature: very rarely seen subspecies. Ornate Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota Carapace: deeply sculpted, black to dark gray with high dorsal keel. Scute centers are typically orange or yellow. Concentric markings are almost completely absent. Marginals can be checkered or completely orange/yellow. Skin: thin, making their heads appear pink at times. Light speckling is usually present although patternless individuals are also known to occur. Color is generally a shade of gray. Distinguishing feature: arguably the most attractive and easily distinguishable subspecies. The contrast of orange/yellow scute centers against an otherwise dark carapace is very pleasing indeed. Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin pileata Carapace: deeply grooved, black to dark gray with high dorsal keel. Concentric markings are absent against the dark background. Skin: thin, with mostly light speckling against a black or gray background. Mustache often present. Distinguishing feature: darkest subspecies. Texas Diamondback Terrapin Malaclemys terrapin littoralis Carapace: deeply grooved, black to brown high dorsal keel. Scute centers are sometimes lighter and concentric markings are invisible due to the background color. Skin:lightly speckled, dark gray with greenish or bluish heads. Distinguishing feature: head color.

Photo Galley
Got a photo? Contact me.

Links to other awesome DiamondBack Terrapin sites:

1.http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Creek/4046/ awesome pics for DiamondBack Terrapins, including terrapins.
2.http://www.natureportfolio.com/reptiles/turtles_terrapins.php - includes images on various turtles.
3 http://www.seacave.com/testsite/livestock/turtles.php - a place where you can buy turtles as pets.
4. http://www.terrapinconservation.org/- terrapin conservation wetlands institute- where you can help in the conservation of this terrapin.
5. http://www.diamondbackterrapin.com/index2.html - one of the most awesome site for diamond back terrapin information

References Cited:

1.DiamondBack Terrapin [Online], Accessed on 10 May 2008, Available, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamondback_terrapin
2. Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) [Online], Accessed on 10
May 2008, Available , http://www.ocean.udel.edu/kiosk/terrapin.html
3.Diamonds in the Marsh: A Natural History of the Diamondback Terrapin, By Barbara Brennessel.