Bolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
The Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is a peaceful fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 170 litres (45 US gallons), water held at 75-82°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
Upper Amazon basin of Bolivia and western Brazil.
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Bolivian Ram Tank Setup
Give them at least 170 litres (45 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 75-82°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5.
What Do Bolivian Rams Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Bolivian Ram Tank Mates
The Bolivian Ram is peaceful, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. Good matches come down to the whole stocking list working together - temperature, tank size, and temperament - not any single label. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Bolivian Rams Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Bolivian Ram - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Bolivian Rams need?
Bolivian Rams need a tank of at least 170 litres (45 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Bolivian Rams need?
Keep them at 75-82°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Bolivian Rams eat?
Bolivian Rams are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Bolivian Rams good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Bolivian Rams to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with Bolivian Rams
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 170 litres (45 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Fish to avoid mixing with Bolivian Rams
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Plakat BettaPredator - Plakat Betta will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Tiger BarbFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
