The ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is a species of freshwater fish endemic to the Orinoco River basin, in the savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia in South America.

[3][10] The natural habitat of M. ramirezi are warm (25.5–29.5 °C (77.9–85.1 °F)), acidic (pH 5.2-6.7) water courses in the Llanos savannas of Venezuela and Colombia.

[5] Like many cichlids, M. ramirezi practices biparental brood care, with both the male and the female playing roles in egg-tending and territorial defense.

These include numerous xanthic morphs, known as gold rams or electric blue, along with larger, high-bodied, fattened "balloon" forms, and long-finned varieties.

[5][7][15] Many of these varieties suffer from lower fertility, health problems, or reduced brood care in comparison to wild-type specimens.