Bolivian Ram Cichlild

The Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) comes from the Rio Mamore basin in Bolivia and Brazil, and it is the sensible alternative to the German blue ram. The body is a warm sandy gold shading to yellow-orange on the head and breast, with a black teardrop below the eye, a dark flank spot and red edging on the fins. Males develop extended points on the dorsal and tail. It is nothing like as demanding as its more colourful cousin.

Aquarium care

• Reaches around 8 cm.
• Peaceful, and easily kept in a community tank.
• Tolerates a much wider range of water chemistry and temperature than the German blue ram.
• Wants soft sand, wood, flat stones and some planting.
• Spends its time on and just above the substrate.
• Omnivorous: sinking pellets, flake, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp.

A very good centrepiece for a South American community with tetras, corydoras, rasboras and hatchetfish. A pair will claim a small area to spawn but will not clear the tank doing it.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is sold for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the current dwarf cichlid list.