The bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is a captivating addition to any aquarium, celebrated for its striking colors and gentle demeanor. This small and attractive cichlid is particularly well-suited for community tanks due to its peaceful nature.
While the bolivian ram is generally calm, it is somewhat more assertive than its close relative, the ram cichlid. However, in the context of cichlid species overall, it is not considered aggressive. The bolivian ram’s behavior is primarily geared towards intimidating other fish rather than engaging in physical confrontation.
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Habitat in the wild
The bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is a freshwater fish native to the rivers and streams of northern and northeastern Bolivia, as well as the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso. They are commonly found in the upper Paraguay River basin and the Mamoré River system.
In their natural habitat, bolivian rams favor river tributaries, backwaters, and lakes with sandy or muddy bottoms. They thrive in shallow, slow-moving waters enriched with snags and lush vegetation. These fish prefer areas with sandy or gravel substrates and ample hiding spots, such as rocks, driftwood, and dense plants. This preference for a well-structured environment reflects their need for both shelter and foraging opportunities, contributing to their overall health and well-being in the wild.
Description
Color
The bolivian ram is a visually striking fish with several distinctive features. It has a prominent head and large eyes, which are highlighted by a black edging around them. The dorsal fin is tall and transparent, with a striking red edge along its top. The tail fin is adorned with elongated rays, adding to its elegant appearance.
The body of the bolivian ram is primarily yellowish, with vibrant orange on the head and chest. Males are characterized by a single dark, almost black spot on each side of their body, while females display two such spots. A dark stripe runs over each eye, contributing to their distinctive look. Horizontal gray stripes extend from the body spots and taper off near the tail, with the number of stripes varying between 7 and 10. These features not only enhance their beauty but also help in identifying and distinguishing between the sexes.
Size
The bolivian ram maximal size is up to 8 cm (3.1 in); but usually the males are about 6 cm (5.4 in) long, the females are a bit smaller – about 5—5,5 cm (2 in).
Lifespan
The average lifespan of bolivian rams is typically around 3 to 5 years in a well-maintained aquarium. However, with proper care, a healthy environment, and optimal nutrition, some individuals may live longer, reaching up to 6 or even 7 years.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mikrogeophagus altispinosus |
| Common Names | Bolivian Ram, Bolivian Butterfly, Bolivian Ram Cichlid |
| Adult Size | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful, can be territorial during breeding |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate |
| Water Parameters | pH 6.0-7.5, Temperature 75°F-82°F (24°C-28°C) |
| Water Hardness | Moderately soft to moderately hard (dGH 5-15) |
| Tank Size | Minimum 20 gallons (75 liters) for a pair |
| Diet | Omnivorous, accepts high-quality pellets, flakes, and live/frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia |
| Tank Region | Middle to bottom of the aquarium |
| Preferred Substrate | Fine sand or smooth gravel |
| Plant Compatibility | Tolerates live plants, may dig in the substrate |
| Compatibility | Peaceful community fish, avoid larger/aggressive species |
| Gender Identification | Males typically larger with extended dorsal and anal fins, females have a pinkish belly during breeding |
Difficulties in keeping
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is generally regarded as a hardy and adaptable aquarium fish. Compared to some other cichlid species, bolivian rams are more forgiving and easier to care for, making them a good choice for those new to keeping cichlids.
In terms of diet, bolivian rams are omnivorous. While they primarily feed on small invertebrates, insects, crustaceans, and various types of plant matter in their natural habitat, they do not typically consume healthy live plants as a major part of their diet in an aquarium setting. They will not actively seek out and damage live plants, which helps in maintaining a well-planted tank.
Due to their hardy nature and relatively easy care requirements, bolivian rams are suitable for community tanks. Standard tank maintenance procedures are usually sufficient to keep them healthy and thriving. Additionally, their adaptable and good-tempered demeanor makes them compatible with a variety of tank mates, further enhancing their appeal for both novice and experienced aquarists.
Care and keeping in a tank
Tank size
For a pair of bolivian rams, a minimum tank size of 20 gallons (75 liters) is recommended. However, a larger tank is preferable as it provides more swimming space and better territorial divisions, contributing to a healthier and more comfortable environment for the fish.
If you plan to keep a group of 6–8 bolivian rams, aim for a tank with a capacity starting at 44 gallons (200 liters). More space allows for natural behaviors, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.
For the tank setup, use a sandy substrate to mimic their natural habitat. Incorporate several pieces of driftwood or other snags and position tank plants in specific sections to create both sheltered and open areas. This setup provides a balanced environment, allowing bolivian rams to exhibit their natural behavior while maintaining a visually pleasing aquarium.
Tank decor
It’s important to note that while bolivian rams are generally peaceful, they can become territorial, especially during breeding or if the tank size is too small. Providing ample hiding spots, visual barriers, and creating territories with appropriate decorations can help reduce aggression. The main thing is that the tank mates are no threat to bolivian rams and they don’t compete with it for the shelters and near-bottom area. When competing with fishes of equal size and temper, fish can take a stand for itself.
Tank plants have to be thickly planted and create shadowed areas as well as to leave some space for the fish to swim. These fish species require lots of shelters. For this purpose you can use stones, snags, artificial caves and rock shelters. A pair of large flat stones may become a place for spawning in the future.
The bolivian ram likes dim scattered light which you can provide by placing some floating plants on the tank water surface.
Water parameters
The Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is generally less demanding regarding water quality compared to the ram cichlid, making it a bit more forgiving of minor mistakes or occasional lapses in tank maintenance. However, to ensure the best health and longevity of your bolivian rams, it’s still important to maintain stable water conditions.
For optimal health, keep the water parameters stable with a pH range of 6.0-7.5 and a hardness of 5-15 dGH. The water temperature should be kept between 23-28°C (73.4-82.4°F). Bolivian rams prefer soft, slightly acidic water, which mimics their natural habitat and supports their well-being.
Proper filtration and regular tank maintenance are crucial for the long-term success of keeping bolivian rams. Perform weekly water changes of 10–15% of the tank volume to replace old water with fresh, clean water. Regularly remove organic waste to maintain water quality and ensure a healthy environment for your fish. By following these guidelines, you can help your bolivian rams thrive in their aquarium.
Diet
The bolivian ram is omnivorous and undemanding. Bloodworm, daphnia, tubifex, artificial food – the fish eats all of it with unfailing appetite. At that you can feed the fish both with live and frozen food.
To ensure that the fish demonstrates its brightest coloring you should include specialized food into the diet. Offer a staple diet of high-quality pellets or flakes specifically formulated for cichlids. Look for options that contain a balanced blend of protein, vitamins, and minerals suitable for small to medium-sized cichlids.
Tank mates
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus are generally peaceful fish that can coexist with a variety of compatible tank mates. It is compatible with schools of small sized Characidae species, which in the wild are ram constant companions and at the same time they signalize that there are no predators around. The bolivian ram shows no interest at all towards other tank dwellers, that’s why fishes from almost any biotopes can make a company for bolivian ram.
Here’s a list of small-sized species that are popular in the aquarium hobby:
- Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon innesi)
- Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
- Glowlight Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrozonus)
- Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
- Black Neon Tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)
- Green Neon Tetra (Paracheirodon simulans)
- Rummy Nose Tetra (Hemigrammus rhodostomus)
- Flame Tetra (Hyphessobrycon flammeus)
- Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
- Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
- Lambchop Rasbora (Trigonostigma espei)
- Dwarf Pencilfish (Nannostomus marginatus)
- Glowlight Rasbora (Trigonostigma hengeli)
- Celestial Pearl Danio (Danio margaritatus)
- Endler’s Livebearer (Poecilia wingei)
- Pygmy Hatchetfish (Carnegiella myersi)
- Tiger Barb (Puntigrus tetrazona)
- Rosy Barb (Pethia conchonius)
- Gold Barb (Puntius semifasciolatus)
- Odessa Barb (Puntius padamya)
The bolivian ram is known for its peaceful and calm demeanor, particularly when kept in groups. To ensure a harmonious environment, it is best to maintain a group of 6-8 individuals. A ratio of 1 male to 2-3 females is ideal, as it helps minimize aggression and fosters a more natural social dynamic. For breeding purposes, a common setup involves keeping a single male and a single female together. This pair will form a strong bond and engage in courtship and spawning behaviors. Ensure that the female has ample space and hiding spots to retreat to if the male becomes overly aggressive during breeding.
While minor conflicts may occur within the group, these are generally harmless and do not result in serious injuries. Males often initiate these conflicts as they assert their position in the hierarchy or attempt to establish dominance. If a male fails to assert itself against a stronger rival, it might direct its aggression towards females, although they typically avoid confrontation and seek refuge among the tank plants.
Despite their generally peaceful nature, bolivian rams are still cichlids and will exhibit predatory instincts. They may prey on juveniles, very small fish, and cherry shrimp. Therefore, it’s important to consider this when selecting tank mates and setting up the aquarium. Providing ample hiding spots and monitoring interactions can help maintain a balanced and thriving tank environment.
Gender differences: male vs female
The Mikrogeophagus altispinosus reaches sexual maturity at about 9-10 months of age and a size of 4-6 cm. At this stage, distinguishing between males and females can be challenging as young fish do not exhibit noticeable sexual dimorphism. However, there are several key characteristics to look for as they mature:
Male:
- Size: Males are generally slightly larger and have a more elongated body shape compared to females.
- Dorsal and anal fins: Males possess more extended and pointed dorsal and anal fins, which become especially pronounced during courtship and breeding.
- Coloration: Males display more vibrant and intense colors overall. Their body coloration tends to be richer, and their fins often feature more vivid patterns and markings.
- Throat and belly: During breeding season, males develop a striking red or orange hue on their throat and belly, which is used to attract females and establish territory.
Female:
- Size: Females are usually smaller and have a rounder body shape compared to males.
- Dorsal and anal fins: The dorsal and anal fins of females are shorter and rounder, lacking the extended and pointed appearance seen in males.
- Coloration: Females have more subdued coloration compared to males. Their hues are generally softer and less intense.
- Throat and belly: Females may show a pinkish or pale yellow tint on their throat and belly during the breeding season, though this coloration is less vibrant than the red or orange seen in males.
Breeding
Forming the couple turned out to be the biggest problem in terms of breeding. Male and female chosen at random very often don’t want to breed together.
At best the bolivian ram simulate spawning or on the 2nd or 3rd day after they lay eggs they eat them. An ideal option is to let the fish choose a partner themselves and to do this you’ll have to grow adult species from a school of 8-10 young species.
Though this drawback has an advantage as well: the couples they form are stable. Later you can put them into another tank, give to your friends and so on – and the couple doesn’t break up.
If a community tank isn’t overcrowded and the bolivian ram has enough of shelters and potential places to lay eggs (caves, large stones, pebbles, ceramic and plastic tubes or at least smooth large snags and even wide leaves of tank plants) there is no need to put the fish couple into a separate volume for spawning, especially if you don’t breed the fish for sale.
If it is impossible to preserve offspring in an ornament volume (for example, in presence of a school of tiger barb which definitely won’t let juveniles survive) put the breeders into a spawning tank of 50 liters capacity with water heated to 26-28 °C with the following parameters: dGH до 10°, pH 7-7,5.
Naturally, the longer bolivian ram is bred in captivity the less the fish depends on chemical water parameters.
Spawning tank should contain 3-4 lush bushes of small leaved tank plants, a round flat stone and small grained bottom substrate. If you plan to incubate the eggs on your own, the substrate is not necessary in this case. But if it is present, the fish feel more confident and comfortable, faster get used to a new tank and start breeding.
First of all the bolivian ram couple starts to clean a place for their future clutch. Both parents participate in the process; it can take from 2 days to a week. Only after they finish cleaning the place for spawning, the fish start to lay eggs. The fish may not lay eggs during the first two-three passages above the spawning place.
This is especially typical for those species which are spawning for the first time, but sometimes the female starts to lay eggs at once. After sticking a line of 10-20 yellowish eggs to the spawning substrate, the female swims a bit aside and the male fertilizes them.
The eggs lie quite tightly both firmly stuck to the stone and to each other. A year old female usually lays 80-100 eggs; three year old one lays about 150-200 eggs and the whole process takes from 40 minutes to one hour.
Young inexperienced bolivian ram not always spawn successfully for the first time. Often almost all eggs appear to be not fertilized or the parents eat all the eggs without with no apparent cause or sometimes they even eat the larvae as well.
Don’t despair! Provided with favorable keeping conditions and care you can expect the spawning to occur again in 3-4 weeks and it has to be more successful this time.
The egg stage lasts about 3-4 days depending on the tank water temperature. During all this time the female takes care of the clutch sterility, the male swims around the territory border he defined guarding the female and future juveniles from a potential aggressor.
On the 5th day the bolivian ram larvae hatches (they are very small and almost motionless). The parents move them many times for the next 4-5 days from one place to another putting them on some proper surfaces or into the pits in the substrate they dig in advance.
Sometimes, bolivian ram lays eggs not on a stone, but into such a pit in the substrate. This is another reason why you should put some substrate on the tank bottom.
Once the juveniles start to swim, you can put the adult species back into the community tank and put a portion of fresh brine shrimp nauplii, Vinegar eels etc. into the spawning tank.
If your priority is watching the fish behavior and not the number of the juveniles obtained, you can leave the parents and the offspring together in the tank. But be ready that during the next 3-4 weeks the parents will zealously raise their juveniles.
They will have no mercy to those whom they consider inviable (as a rule, in the end the latter compose almost 2/3 of the total juveniles number).
You can keep the bolivian ram juveniles in the spawning tank for about 2-3 weeks and after that, when they are about 1.5 cm long you should put them into more spacious tank.
Otherwise, especially if there are many of them, the rate of their growth will slow down and there will be more species with various pathologies. The juveniles bear heavily excessive amount of nitrogen containing compounds, that’s why it is necessary to equip the tank with powerful filter and renew the water more often.
When the juveniles become two month old you can feed them with what adult fish eat and in a month or two you can put them into the community tank.