Bolivian ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
intermediate careOverview
The Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is the sensible cousin of the German blue ram — a little larger, a little plainer, and far hardier. Soft grey-gold with a black eye bar and warm red fin edges, it brings genuine dwarf-cichlid personality to a community tank without demanding the warm, soft, spotless water a German blue ram insists on. For most keepers wanting their first cichlid, this is the ram to choose.
Tank & water
A pair is comfortable in 75 litres (20 gallons), with more space appreciated for a group.
- Temperature: an easy 23–27 °C — normal community range, held with a steady heater.
- pH and hardness: adaptable across pH 6.0–7.5; they do not need soft water, though they colour up best in it. Test with a kit.
- Filtration and upkeep: a mature filter and routine water changes keep nitrate low.
- Substrate: fine sand suits their natural sifting.
Feeding
Bolivian rams are unfussy omnivores. A staple of quality sinking pellets or community food plus regular frozen or live bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia keeps them healthy and coloured. They forage the substrate throughout the day, so sinking foods reach them better than floating flakes.
Tankmates
One of the friendliest dwarf cichlids for a community. They mix well with tetras, rasboras, corydoras, dwarf neon rainbowfish and other calm mid-water fish. Avoid very aggressive or much larger cichlids that will bully them. Keep them off the menu of fin-nippers and give plenty of plants and wood for territory boundaries. For stocking limits, see how to tell if a tank is overstocked.
Bolivian ram — frequently asked questions
Are Bolivian rams easier than German blue rams?
Much easier. Bolivian rams tolerate a wider temperature and pH range, cope with normal community temperatures around 25 °C and are far less fussy about soft water. They are the sensible choice if you want a dwarf cichlid but do not have soft, warm, ultra-stable water.
How many Bolivian rams should I keep?
A single fish is fine, but a bonded pair or a group of three to five in a larger tank shows more natural behaviour. Give them space and cover, as they set up loose territories and can bicker at feeding time, though serious aggression is rare outside breeding.
Do Bolivian rams dig in the substrate?
Yes — like all Mikrogeophagus they sift mouthfuls of sand for food, so a soft sand bed is kinder to their gills than sharp gravel and lets them forage naturally. It is normal, healthy behaviour, not a sign of stress.
Found your model? Buy it at the right price.
UniverTrack tracks the real price of your aquarium gear across several retailers, spots fake discounts and warns you when it's genuinely the right moment to buy — with an AI assistant to guide you.