With the right environment and fish tank setup, many aquarists can create stunning community tanks with cichlids. The Bolivian Ram also requires a few caves in which to hide in and stones to spawn on. The Bolivian ram fish has a unique and unusual look and is a hardy tropical fish. Although it is not mandatory to put the pair in a separate tank, it helps in maintaining the tank conditions required for breeding in a separate tank. Pieces of driftwood will be useful as well, providing the fish with refuge in the face of a threat. A few hours after the cleaning of the stone, the female begins the act of spawning with a few dry runs, while the male watches her keenly. Will ram cichlids attack guppies? Should you worry about your rams getting attacked by guppies? The juveniles are very active, and the parents are not very good at protecting the territory. In the wild Bolivian ram inhabits Amazon river headstream and Guaporé and Mamoré river basins. 77/8 is fine for Bolivians, but if you want pandas then lowering it to around 75 would be best. Bolivian Rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) are a beautiful addition to any community tank. Description. The pH can range from 6.5 to 7.5, the GH should be below 10, and the temperature around 25° to 28°C (77° to 82°F). In 1968 Meulengracht-Madsen introduced the name Mikrogeophagus, spelling it with a “k.” This led to a dispute among the scientists as to which of the two names was valid. Also they like clean water. Remember that rams are territorial with other rams, so if you want more, you need to make certain your tank is large enough. As far as feeding is concerned, the food should be small in size and varied; both live and dry foods are equally greedily taken. Their natural habitat consists of mostly sandy bottoms with a scattering of clean flat roc… With their elegant colors and peaceful temperament, Bolivian rams are like the butterflies of the fishkeeping hobby. As their trade name would suggest, the fish are most often found in Bolivia. I say go for rummynose. A dark substrate will help to accent the colors of this fish. The rummynose would do alright with him, or down the road they would do great with the GBR you want to get as they like warm water. They belong to the Cichlidae family which is they largest group of freshwater fish. I just got him on Sunday, newly set up tank. How do I setup a fish tank? You can put just one in the tank as long as the tank is large enough - minimum would be 20 gal for 1 ram (imo). The pH in a Bolivian ram tank should be kept around 6.5 - 7.0, being no lower than 6.0 and no higher than 7.5. Tank Setup. See the full article on TFH Digital http://www.tfhdigital.com/tfh/200803/#pg93. These dwarf cichlids have all the characteristics of a popular aquarium fish. They have a black spot on each side of their body, and also have red edges on their fins. Large eyes, a characteristic snout reminiscent of a parrot’s beak, elongated anterior rays of the dorsal fin, a black eye stripe, and a black spot on the lateral line are the traits that dominate the appearance of these beautiful fish. All trademarks are either the property of Central Garden & Pet Company, its subsidiaries, divisions, affiliated and/or related companies or the property of their respective owners. Great, hardy dwarf cichlid. Bolivian Ram Fish are very fascinating and friendly fishes that have the potential to add grace to your aquarium. To keep German blue ram cichlids, keep them in a tank that holds at least 10 gallons of water, and install a heater in the tank since German blue ram cichlids prefer water that's between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. (Opens new tab) • Canopy & Lighting. For larger community tanks, you can keep Bolivian rams with other peaceful fish of similar size. The pH can range from 6.5 to 7.5, the GH should be below 10, and the temperature around 25° to 28°C (77° to 82°F). That setup is perfect for bolivians, if you wanted you could add more plants, some rocks, wood. After about six months, well-fed young fish will, on average, reach a length of 4 cm (1½ inches). Pandas will do better in cooler waters like 74-75 and so will bolivians. Bolivian rams do not need a large tank with 30 gallons being enough for one fish. Bolivian Rams live in dimly lit and heavily vegetated river bottoms, thus they will prefer an aquarium setup that mimics their natural habitat. I have one bolivian ram in my 29 gallon tank, but he suddenly started being aggressive and territorial and killing other fish, he already killed 2 and I don't want him to kill any more, so for now I am separating him. Bolivian Ram Cichlids must be kept in at least a 30 gallon aquarium. Plants would be a useful element in the tank setup, as these fish look great against the background of lush greenery. It has a delicate elongated oval shape adorned with long pointed fins and tail. Jul 12, 2016 - Explore Nathan E.'s board "Ram Bolivian, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus", followed by 116 people on Pinterest. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Rummynose will do best around 80 but 77-78 is ok for them if you got them with the bolivian ram. Hi! The spawning lasts for about an hour, and in this time around 100 to 300 eggs will be laid in a circle. The tank should have several dense plant groups and plenty of open swimming space. On account of their peaceful temperament they are the perfect inhabitants for community aquariums, and they can be confidently recommended to all novice enthusiasts of South American cichlids. They will also leave the corys, danios, and tetras alone, so you don't have to worry about that. If you are planning for a community fish that would do well with your other peaceful fish, then […] These cichlids grow to around 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) in length, but you should use at least a 50-liter (15-gallon) tank for one adult pair. The tank setup should contain densely grown groups of plants separated by open swimming space is ideal. They can be moved to another aquarium, or, as I have already mentioned, the parents with the young can be divided from the rest of the fish with a tank divider. When a female catches a male’s eye, he will start courting her, chasing away other admirers. It is endemic or found exclusively in the upper Rio Madeira basin in Bolivia and Brazil. Bolivian Ram is an endemic to the Amazon river basin. Water changes of 40 percent should be performed every other day, using water of the same physical and chemical parameters, as the hatch is sensitive to elevated concentrations of nitrates, which can lead to large losses. Make it like … JavaScript is disabled. Let’s find out how these two fish species behave in a community tank. Tank Mates. That setup is perfect for bolivians, if you wanted you could add more plants, some rocks, wood. The fish areal is quite wide and it includes North and North-East Bolivia as well as Brazilian state Mato Grosso.The fish dwells in river tributaries, backwaters and lakes with sandy and muddy bottom; usually it prefers shallow and slow waters with lots of snags and luxuriant vegetation. ... Before you even begin to set up your freshwater fish tank you need to decide where to put it. Then move up to the German Blue. The Bolivian Ram is a good alternative to the more colourful, but also more demanding, Ram or Butterfly Cichlid, and doesn't require the elevated temperatures of it's counterpart. While they are part of the Cichlid family, Bolivian Rams are far more peaceful than other Cichlid species. Housing If you have more than one ram add 5-10 extra gallons per ram. (Opens new tab) How do I determine the size of my aquarium? With regard to the aquarium decor, we should not forget fine sand in which these dwarf cichlids will dig zealously. This species usually lays its eggs on a hard surface (stone, wood, etc. Provided that they are given perfect living condition, the fish can grow up to 5 inches in length.Other characteristic of the fish is that, basically it has silver coloration and the male is bigger sized compared to the female. Re: Bolivian Ram tanks mates Tue Oct 22, 2013 2:21 pm I just sold off mine but I kept 2 pair and an extra female in a 29 biocube along with some plecos, swordtails, and rasboras without any problems. These fish are endemic to parts of the Amazon River Basin. Bolivian Ram. During this time the male becomes very aggressive, so it is advisable to separate the pair from the rest of the fish with a divider placed crosswise in the aquarium. Fairly common in the aquarium trade, Bolivian rams are fairly hardy and adaptable in the home aquarium. The Bolivian Ram requires a tank of 30 gallons minimum. The fish are mostly found in shallow, sandy ponds with a temperature of around 27°C (81°F), a pH of 7 to 7.6, and a carbonate hardness below 100 mg/l. Bolivian Rams are one of the most fascinating dwarf cichlids in my opinion. Looks good. Known localities inhabited by this species lay in the catchment of the upper Rio Madeira (Bolivia). Sometimes the female has to help extricate them from the egg shells, and then she will carry them in her mouth to a pre-dug pit. When a suitable stone has been chosen, thorough cleaning commences, and then pits are dug around it in the sand, to which the larvae will later be transferred. Questions to Ask Before Starting a Freshwater Fish Tank. Decorations There is an interesting and complicated story connected with the genus Mikrogeophagus, as well. ), and only very rarely in pits dug in the sand. A well-known fish researcher, Frey introduced the genus Microgeophagus, and spelled it with a “c,” in 1957. The Planted Tank Forum Since 2002 A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. It’s main coloration is a yellow-tan, but a large part of its body is a grey-blue color also. This family is very popular in the aquarium trade and includes fish such as Angelfish, Oscar… Hailing straight from the river basins of Bolivia and Brazil, this fish is very hardy and easy to care. In the meantime the male protects the territory, but sometimes he relieves his partner for a few seconds. Bolivian Ram Cichlid belongs to the diverse freshwater Cichlidae family. My question is, he is my first. They are extremely colorful, of medium size, omnivorous, and furthermore they can adapt to various environmental conditions and breed easily. I recommend this equipment for a 20-gallon community tank with a Bolivian Ram: Lights: The NICREW ClassicLED aquarium lights will support any low-light live plants like the aquatic Java Fern that you end up putting in your community tank. Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosa) – Known for their golden-brown color, Bolivian rams have multicolored highlights that make them quite attractive. They are pretty compatible parameter wise IMO Whats the temp of the tank? ©2020 TFH Magazine, a Central Garden & Pet Company. Re: Bolivian Ram tank mates Thu Nov 07, 2013 12:34 pm Blue12am wrote: If you are looking to upgrade your filter, I would look into canister filters because IME, it's well worth it. When the spawning is finished, the female takes the position over the egg plaque and fans it with her pectoral fins; that is, she uses one of them for fanning, and the other to maintain her position above the spawn. We should not forget good filtration, and partial water changes should be made weekly to reduce the level of nitrates, which, in large concentrations, negatively influence the well-being of these dwarf cichlids and can even cause mortality in young specimens. These cichlids grow to around 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 inches) in length, but you should use at least a 50-liter (15-gallon) tank for one adult pair. They do not require very soft and extremely acidic water to live and develop properly, and they can adapt to various chemical parameters. It is also worth knowing that in a state of stress, six indistinct crossbands appear on the body of the fish; and during brood care the yellowish body color of the female, the black eye stripe, and the black lateral spot become very intense. If its a dwarf then just one. They are not that difficult to care for as long as you meet some basic requirements for them. You should also line the bottom of the tank with sand or gravel and add plenty of plants, rocks, and caves for your fish to hide in. These fish are peaceful, robust, and make an excellent aquarium fish for a general community or dwarf cichlid community.Unlike many other dwarf cichlids, they can be kept in groups of 5 or more, given a tank size of greater than 90cm. You would expect that Mikrogeophagus would be considered a junior synonym of Microgeophagus, but it is the former name that wound up being judged valid. See more ideas about cichlids, fish pet, aquarium fish. The Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is known under many common names: Butterfly Ram, Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid and Ruby Cichlid. Males are slightly longer (10 cm, or 4 inches, in length) and slimmer than the females, which in turn are stouter and more rounded in the belly area. They are a tropical freshwater fish so keep the water between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and do not use saltwater. Freshwater Tropical Fish Articles | TFH Magazine, http://www.tfhdigital.com/tfh/200803/#pg93, The Electric Blue Ram | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus Species | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine. Bolivian Rams are Cichlids and unlike their closely related cousins (such as the Green Terror Cichlid) they are peaceful. Make sure the tetras/barbs would like the. Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Tank Set-Up: Freshwater Compatibility: Other peaceful freshwater fish. As a result the fry can easily become food for the other fish, which is another reason why it is advisable to separate them. This brand of lighting also brings out the beautiful colors of your fish, which is more than welcome with a colorful Bolivian Ram in the aquarium. The canopy of your aquarium ensures: Your fish don’t jump out of your aquarium. Despite its modest size, Bolivian Rams are fish with high intelligence. These fish prefer fine sand or gravel substrate and, though they can be a shy species, will thrive if given plenty of cover in the form of live plants and driftwood branches. That said, they do best with a group of six to eight other Bolivian rams in the tank. If your looking to get into dwarf cichlids start with the Bolivian Ram. The courtship can last for a few days and consists of reciprocal lateral displays and mouthing the stones (or wood) where the eggs will subsequently be laid. Come join the discussion about flora, … Tank Set-Up. Also consider flat stones on which the fish will lay their eggs if the conditions are favorable. A well cared for Bolivian ram will live for around four years, though there are instances of them living slightly longer. If you want your fish to breed, provide them with flat stones in the aquarium. An ideal aquarium setup will have a sandy substrate, dense vegetation, some driftwood, moderate water flow and diffused or dim lighting. Some researchers believe this species to be more closely related to the genus Biotodoma than the Venezuelan ram, on account of some morphological details, namely the shape of the dorsal fin and the head, as well as the body coloration and the absence of a large spot on the third crossband (typical of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi). This fish liked planted tanks with driftwood, gravel and sand. They also like areas with flat rocks and natural caves during the breeding season. After about 48 hours (depending on the temperature) the larvae hatch from the eggs. The fish will also need a few caves to seek shelter in. The generic name of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is composed of three Greek roots: mikr, or small; geo, or earth; and phag, or eat (in other words, “small eartheater”), while the specific epithet refers to the elongated first ray of the dorsal fin and was created from two Latin roots: alt, or high; and spinos, meaning spiny. Description: The Bolivian Ram is a beautiful fish, often used as a centerpiece fish in aquariums. Spiny dorsal fins, a feast of colors, small size, and mouths shaped like parrot beaks are all characteristics that make the popular Bolivian rams aquarium favorites. These cichlids live in Bolivia and Brazil. Bolivian rams are not necessarily schooling or shoaling fish. The mature males are very active and often display to the females, spreading their fins. After another five to eight days the larvae become free swimming, and then they can be given freshly hatched Artemia and microworms. 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Female catches a male ’ s find out How these two fish species behave in a community.. With others without any issues the tank should have several dense plant groups and plenty of open space... Breed, provide them with flat rocks and natural caves during the breeding season relieves partner., Mikrogeophagus altispinosus ) are a beautiful addition to any community tank c ”... New tab ) How do I determine the size of my aquarium to leave open space for swimming, this.... Before you even begin to set up tank hatched Artemia and.... Ram requires a tank of 30 gallons tank Set-Up: freshwater Compatibility other... Slightly longer perfect for bolivians, if you wanted you could add more,! Madeira ( Bolivia ) is perfect for bolivians, if you got them with flat rocks and caves! Requirements for them fine sand in which these dwarf cichlids have all the characteristics of a aquarium. Caves to seek shelter in this Cichlid is incredibly colorful, of size. 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