Bolivian ram tank mates

Good matches

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The safest picks for bolivian rams are bettas, tiger barbs and guppies. Each match shares bolivian rams' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

Hardier and cooler-water than the German blue ram.

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 20 gal
With care: 16
Avoid: 14

How each group of fish does with bolivian rams. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive, though bolivian rams are big enough to shrug most of it off.
Bala shark A grown bala shark may treat small bolivian rams as food, especially at night.
Cherry shrimp Bolivian rams will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give cherry shrimp somewhere to hide.
Amano shrimp Bolivian rams will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give amano shrimp somewhere to hide.
Red tail shark Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Tinfoil barb A grown tinfoil barb may treat small bolivian rams as food, especially at night.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small bolivian ram. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Rainbow shark Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Bamboo shrimp Bolivian rams will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give bamboo shrimp somewhere to hide.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast bolivian rams will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Ghost shrimp Bolivian rams will eat baby shrimp and may chase adults. Dense plants or moss give ghost shrimp somewhere to hide.
Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for bolivian rams.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: bolivian rams want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid Different water: bolivian rams want pH 6–7.5, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

Avoid

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.
White cloud minnow White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); bolivian rams need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches bolivian rams do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful bolivian rams.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); bolivian rams need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, bolivian rams need 72–79°F.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Bolivian rams need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the bolivian ram care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for bolivian rams?

Bettas, Tiger barbs, Guppies, Angelfish, Honey gouramis. They share bolivian rams' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with bolivian rams?

Axolotls, Oscars, Goldfish, Jack dempseys, Bichirs. Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); bolivian rams need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.