Bolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Cichlidae
About
The Bolivian ram is a hardy, personable dwarf cichlid with a silvery-tan body, a black eye stripe, and warm yellow and red fin edging that intensifies with mood. Native to the Amazon basin of Bolivia and Brazil, it tolerates a wider, cooler range of conditions than the German blue ram, making it an excellent first cichlid. It forms pairs, sifts sand for food, and shows charming, inquisitive behaviour.
Care
Keep as a pair in a soft-sand tank of 90 L or more with cooler, stable water. Far hardier than the German blue ram; mildly territorial when breeding but peaceful in community settings.
Diet
Omnivore that sifts sand; feed sinking pellets and frozen foods. Accepts a broad diet and is much less delicate than its German cousin.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (86)
Possible with care (127)
Avoid (58)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Bolivian Ram need?
- A Bolivian Ram needs an aquarium of at least 110 litres (29.1 US gallons) with a footprint at least 75 cm (29.5 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Bolivian Ram need?
- Bolivian Ram does best at 22–27 °C (71.6–80.6 °F), pH 6–7.8 and a general hardness of 3–15 °dGH.
- Is the Bolivian Ram suitable for beginners?
- Bolivian Ram sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.