Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
The forgiving cousin of the German Blue Ram, happier in cooler, harder water and far more tolerant of beginner mistakes. Personality plus: pairs bond visibly, dig spawning pits, and stand their corner without bullying tankmates. The dwarf cichlid to start with.
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) reaches 7–8 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 100 L. Native to Amazon basin, Bolivia and Brazil, it lives in the mid to bottom water column with a peaceful (mildly territorial when breeding) temperament. Aim for 22–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, and 5–14 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 4–6 years with good care. Keep bolivian ram in groups of 2+, no (pair or small group) schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia. Sifts substrate, keep grain rounded and fine. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: Risky with dwarf shrimp.
Care at a glance
The forgiving cousin of the German Blue Ram, happier in cooler, harder water and far more tolerant of beginner mistakes. Personality plus: pairs bond visibly, dig spawning pits, and stand their corner without bullying tankmates. The dwarf cichlid to start with.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to aquarium fish for the planted tank.
The parameters that decide whether bolivian ram fits in your tank.
Mid to Bottom
No
Keep as a bonded pair
Cichlidae
Omnivore
Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia. Sifts substrate, keep grain rounded and fine.
4–6 yrs
Easy
Amazon basin, Bolivia and Brazil
Amazon basin, Bolivia and Brazil
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) needs a minimum tank of 100 L. They live in the mid to bottom water column and should be kept in groups of 2+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 22–27 °C, pH 6.5–7.5, and 5–14 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: Risky with dwarf shrimp. Plant safety: Yes.
Bolivian Ram are omnivore. Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia. Sifts substrate, keep grain rounded and fine.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: easy.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 4–6 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
