Bolivian ram care guide
Also called: Bolivian ram cichlid, Bolivian butterfly cichlid, Bolivian butterfly, Ruby crown cichlid, Hi-fin ram
The Bolivian ram is a hardy, peaceful dwarf cichlid that grows to about 3 in (8 cm) and sifts sand for food. It handles cooler, harder water than the German blue ram, which makes it a great first cichlid for a 29-gallon (110 L) community tank.
Bolivian rams need a tank of at least 29 gallons (110 L), and water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 8 cm (3.1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with Bolivian ramsSee all tank mates
Bolivian ram quick facts
| Scientific name | Mikrogeophagus altispinosus |
|---|---|
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Origin | Upper Madeira basin (Mamoré and Guaporé rivers) in Bolivia and Brazil, South America (most sold are captive-bred) |
| Adult size | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 29 gallons (110 L), at least 75 cm (30 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–27°C (75–81°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–10 dGH |
| Group size | Alone or as a pair |
| Temperament | Peaceful; males fight each other |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 4–5 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
A single Bolivian ram or a pair needs at least 29 gallons (110 L) and about 30 in (75 cm) of tank length, and a group needs a 4 ft (120 cm) tank or larger. Use fine sand, since they sift mouthfuls of it for food. Add wood, rocks and plants to break up sight lines and give each fish a territory. Flat stones double as spawning sites.
How many Bolivian rams in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits Bolivian rams is a 29 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Bolivian rams (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Up to 10 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 14 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 20 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 27 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 46 |
Numbers are bioload limits only. Males fight, so keep one fish or one pair.
What you need for Bolivian rams
Sized for a 29 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits Bolivian rams. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 29 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 29 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 242 lb (110 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 100 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 115–175 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 30 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for Bolivian rams
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to medium-hard water (about 2–10 dGH). It tolerates a wider range than the German blue ram but still needs clean, stable water. Change part of the water every week and keep nitrate low.
Best tank mates for Bolivian rams
These popular species share Bolivian rams' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 65 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Chili rasbora
2 cm (0.8 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping Bolivian rams with
- Cherry shrimp: Bolivian ram eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Bolivian ram 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Bolivian ram 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat Bolivian rams: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful Bolivian rams.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful Bolivian rams.
Feeding
It is an omnivore that sifts sand for tiny animals and plant matter. Offer small sinking pellets or granules daily and add frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia or live worms a few times a week. Make sure food reaches the bottom before faster fish eat it all.
Behavior
Bolivian rams are calm, shy fish that leave most tank mates alone. Males can get territorial with each other, especially when breeding or in small tanks. Good companions include tetras, rasboras, corydoras, small plecos, peaceful barbs and dwarf gouramis. Avoid aggressive cichlids and fast, pushy eaters.
Breeding
Males are slightly larger with longer fin tips, but sexing is tricky, so buying a small group and letting a pair form works best. The female lays about 100–200 eggs on a flat stone. Both parents guard the eggs and move the fry between small pits they dig. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days and the fry swim freely about a week later.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Use sand, not coarse gravel. Sifting it for food is a big part of their day.
- A good ram for tap water that isn't very soft. It is far tougher than the German blue ram.
- Add calm dither fish like tetras or rasboras to coax these shy fish into the open.
- Cherry shrimp may be eaten. Amano shrimp are big enough to usually be left alone.
- Feed sinking food. Rams are slow, careful eaters and can go hungry next to fast fish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Bolivian ram and a German blue ram?
The Bolivian ram is larger, at about 3 in (8 cm), less colorful and much hardier. It is happy at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F), while the German blue ram needs 27–30 °C (81–86 °F) and softer water.
Can a Bolivian ram live alone?
Yes. In the wild they seem to live alone outside the breeding season, and a single fish does well in a community tank. A pair works too if the tank is big enough.
Are Bolivian rams aggressive?
No. They are peaceful toward other species. Males may chase each other or guard a spawning site, so give them space and hiding spots.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.