Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

The Bolivian Ram (*Mikrogeophagus altispinosus*) is considered in fishkeeping the "smart" and bulletproof version of its notorious cousin, the German Blue Ram (*M. ramirezi*). While not reaching the neon chromatic excesses of its Venezuelan cousin, the Bolivian is a wonderful fish: it sports a warm golden-sand livery, adorned with bright red edging on all fins, a black band crossing its eye and a visible dark spot mid-body. The reason for its inestimable value for the average aquarist is its temperament: it is noticeably more peaceful, tolerates mistakes in water management, is immune to the genetic problems caused by Asian breeding and does not require boiling temperatures, making it the perfect dwarf cichlid for beginners.

Family: Cichlidae
Origin: Sud America (Bacini idrografici del Rio Mamoré e Rio Guaporé, Bolivia e Brasile)
Tank use: Used in 0 tanks

Temperature

23 °C - 27 °C

6 - 7.5

Water type

Freshwater

Tank level

Zona inferiore. Trascorre le giornate vicino al fondo o adagiato sulle grandi pietre.

Adult size

9 cm

Description

The Frustrating Sex Game:

Finding a "pair" of Bolivians in a store is impossible. There is no obvious sexual dimorphism when they are young (no pink bellies). The only way a serious aquarist gets a breeding pair is to buy a small group of 6 and observe, after months, two specimens detaching from the group and starting to convulsively clean a flat stone.

Care and observations

The Solution to Heartache (Replace normal Rams):

If you bought a classic Blue Ram and it mysteriously died after 3 months breaking your heart, don't try again. Buy a Bolivian Ram. This fish does not need water at 29°C (84°F), thrives beautifully at normal 24°C (75°F), and boasts an armored immune system capable of withstanding small chemical fluctuations in domestic water. It is the choice par excellence to enjoy the behavior of a dwarf cichlid without the anxiety of sudden death.

The Slow and Inexorable Glow-Up:

In pet shops, juvenile Bolivians often look gray, scared and totally uninteresting. They are constantly ignored in favor of the highly colored fake "Electric Blue" fish. Have faith. Take them home, put them in a dark tank with a sandy bottom and in 2 months you will witness one of the most spectacular transformations: they will develop bright pink and yellow reflections and their fins will be edged in bright crimson.

Armed Peace with Corydoras:

Unlike *Apistogramma* females that slaughter bottom-dwelling fish during breeding, Bolivians are so relaxed that they often limit themselves to pushing Corydoras away snout-to-snout without ever biting them. They can coexist in a 100-120 cm (3-4 foot) aquarium with total serenity.

Fish profile

Temperament: Estremamente pacifico, quasi timido. Probabilmente il ciclide sudamericano più inoffensivo in assoluto. Raramente i maschi combattono seriamente, limitandosi a splendide "parate" laterali. Tollera perfettamente la compagnia di corydoras senza aggredirli.
Diet: Bentonico / Brucatore di fondo. Molto meno schizzinoso dei Blue Ram, accetta avidamente cibo secco, granuli per ciclidi nani e tablet da fondo. Per esaltare il bordo rosso fuoco delle pinne, integrare settimanalmente con artemia e larve rosse (chironomus).
Tank level: Zona inferiore. Trascorre le giornate vicino al fondo o adagiato sulle grandi pietre.
Minimum group: 2
Adult size: 9 cm
Minimum tank: 100 L
GH: 3 dGH - 10 dGH
KH: n/a
TDS: n/a
Conductivity: n/a
Sex ratio: Coppia stabile (formata da un gruppo di 6 giovani) o piccolo branco pacifico. Sessarli visivamente nei negozi è tra le cose più difficili in acquariofilia: sia maschi che femmine sono identici per colore e forma (non c'è la pancia rosa come nei Blue Ram). L'unica vera differenza sono i prolungamenti della coda a "lira" nei vecchi maschi.
Feeding frequency: 1-2 volte al giorno.
Bioload: Medio-Basso
Flow: Corrente da Nulla a Debole. Vengono stancati dalle correnti in vasca.
Reproduction: Open spawners fantastici. A differenza della genetica rovinata dei Blue Ram commerciali, i Boliviani sono quasi sempre genitori naturali eccellenti. Entrambi scavano trincee nella sabbia, puliscono una foglia e spostano gli avannotti tra buche segrete sorvegliando i confini in tandem.
Compatibility: I migliori abitanti da fondo per acquari amazzonici di comunità media. Compatibili con Corydoras (il Boliviano si sposta pacificamente se disturbato), Caracidi grandi e piccoli, Otocinclus e Loricaridi tranquilli. Ottimi con i pesci d'acqua più fresca che i Blue Ram massacrerebbero col calore.

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.