Bolivian ram care

Water temperature

72–79°F

Keep bolivian rams at 72–79°F with a pH of 6–7.5, in a tank of at least 20 gallons. Good tank mates include bettas, tiger barbs, guppies.

Hardier and cooler-water than the German blue ram.

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

pH

6–7.5

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

3.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

4–5 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• Tiger barbYes
• GuppyYes
• AngelfishYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Neon tetraYes
• CorydorasYes
• Odessa barbYes
• Congo tetraYes
• Paradise fishYes
• Black skirt tetraYes
• Dwarf gouramiYes

Full bolivian ram tank mate chart: 68 yes, 16 with care, 14 no

Bolivian ram water compared

Fish to keep away from bolivian rams

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bolivian rams need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches bolivian rams do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); bolivian rams need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches bolivian rams do.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches bolivian rams do.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches bolivian rams do.
• Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bolivian rams.
• Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, bolivian rams need 72–79°F.

More cichlids

• Angelfish76–84°F
• Oscar74–81°F
• Discus82–88°F
• Convict cichlid74–82°F
• German blue ram80–86°F
• African cichlid75–82°F
• Blood parrot76–80°F
• Jack Dempsey72–86°F