Bolivian ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Minimum tank: 45 gal (170 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Bolivia, Brazil
Family: Cichlidae

Overview

The Bolivian ram is a peaceful dwarf cichlid that suits a quiet community and is happiest kept as a bonded pair or a small group with space to spread out. It stays near the bottom and middle of the tank, sifting sand and picking at food, and only turns territorial around a chosen flat rock when a pair is spawning. It is hardier and more forgiving than the common ram, which makes it a good first cichlid. Keep it with calm, similarly sized tankmates such as tetras, rasboras and peaceful catfish, and avoid boisterous fish that will outcompete it at feeding time. Offer a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia. A tank of at least 170 liters gives a pair or small group room to set up territories without constant squabbling.

In the wild

Bolivian rams come from the warm, gently flowing waters of the upper Madeira basin in Bolivia and Brazil, where they live over sand and leaf litter along river margins and in quiet backwaters. The water there is soft to moderately hard and close to neutral. They are adaptable, so a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and a temperature of 24 to 28 C will keep them comfortable. Give them a soft sandy floor they can sift, some smooth rocks and driftwood for cover, and a few hardy plants, with open swimming space left in the middle of the tank.

Good to know

Mikrogeophagus altispinosa is a dwarf member of the cichlid family, Cichlidae, reaching only about 8 cm. The genus name means small eartheater, a reference to the way it sifts mouthfuls of sand for tiny invertebrates. It is an open substrate spawner that lays eggs on a cleaned rock or firm surface, with both parents sharing guard duty and moving the fry around pits dug in the sand. Breeding can be tricky because pairs may eat their first few clutches before they settle into reliable parents, and stable, clean water is needed to raise the fry.

Did you know

Unlike its cousin the common ram, the Bolivian ram tolerates cooler and harder water, which is one reason it is often recommended as a hardier introduction to keeping dwarf cichlids.