Description
🐟 Bolivian Ram Cichlid
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: Bolivia & Brazil (Amazon Basin)
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Size: 3 – 3.5 inches (7 – 9 cm)
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Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
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Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 100 – 200 ppm
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pH: 6.0 – 7.5
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Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
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Hardness: 4 – 10 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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More hardy and forgiving than German Blue Rams.
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Body is silver-grey with yellow, red, and black markings.
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Peaceful, calm, and slow-moving – perfect for community tanks.
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Less colorful than German Blue Ram, but easier to care for.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: High-quality micro pellets, flakes, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, chopped vegetables.
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Feeding: 2 small meals per day.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons for a pair.
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Filtration: Moderate flow, clean water is important.
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Decor: Sand substrate, plants, driftwood, caves.
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Water Change: 25–30% weekly.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: Best kept as a pair or small group.
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Tank Mates: Peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, corydoras, dwarf gouramis.
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Avoid: Large/aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers.
✅ Do’s
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Keep in a planted or natural-style aquarium.
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Maintain stable, clean water.
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Provide hiding spots and open swimming areas.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t overcrowd – they need calm surroundings.
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Don’t mix with aggressive or large predatory fish.
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Don’t expose to sudden temperature or pH swings.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Bolivian Rams are hardier and longer-lived than German Blue Rams.
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Great choice for beginners in cichlids.
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Peaceful, attractive centerpiece for community aquariums
