Bolivian ram
A small, peaceful cichlid from the Amazon basin.
This dwarf cichlid inhabits warm rivers in Bolivia and Brazil. It is a popular choice for home aquariums due to its hardy nature and gentle behaviour. The species displays distinct parental care and unique swimming patterns.
- Reaches a maximum size of 8 cm
- Native to Mamoré and Guaporé rivers
- Parents care for eggs and fry together
- Tolerates cooler water than similar cichlids
- Uses a unique hover-and-stop swimming style
What it is
This fish belongs to the cichlid family and shares a body shape with larger geophagine relatives. Adults reach a maximum length of roughly eight centimetres. The head and front body section appear yellow, transitioning to olive-grey towards the tail. A dark vertical band crosses the eye, while six faint stripes run along the flanks. The third stripe features a dark centre. Fins display pinkish-red edges, with blue dots and rays visible on the anal and pelvic fins. Males are slightly larger and may have longer fin extensions.
Where it lives
The species is native to the southern Amazon River basin. Its distribution covers the Mamoré and lower Guaporé River systems in Bolivia and Brazil. The type locality is recorded at San Joaquín in the Beni Department. These fish prefer warm water that is soft and has a near-neutral pH level between 6.3 and 7.6. A variant once kept in hobbyist tanks was later classified as a separate species found in the Pindaituba River.
How it lives
As an omnivore, this cichlid searches the bottom for plant matter and tiny creatures. It can also feed in midwater or at the surface. In captivity, it exhibits a distinctive stop-and-go swimming style. The fish moves briefly, pauses abruptly without momentum, and hovers before proceeding. This behaviour helps it sift through substrate without stirring up debris. While generally gentle and shy, it can move quickly to escape threats or defend territory. It typically stays near the bottom rather than exploring upper water levels.
Breeding and life cycle
Both parents participate in raising young. Courtship involves head shaking and quivering, primarily by the male, and lasts about two days in tanks. The pair prepares shallow pits. The female lays brownish, oval eggs in lines on flat stones or leaves. The male fertilises each line as it is completed. At 27 degrees Celsius, eggs hatch in approximately 60 hours. The female fans the clutch and adds sand for camouflage. Parents carry newly hatched fry to the pits and move them regularly. Fry swim freely after seven days and school under parental guidance.
Fish and people
Aquarists value this species as a dwarf cichlid that is more tolerant of varied water conditions and cooler temperatures than its relative, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. It suits community tanks with minimum volumes of 80 litres, provided tankmates are not aggressive. Dense planting or bogwood provides necessary hiding spots. The fish accepts most commercial foods readily. It is traded under names like Bolivian butterfly and ruby crown cichlid. Its calm demeanor makes it a frequent choice for enthusiasts seeking peaceful bottom-dwellers.
Questions people ask about Bolivian ram
How large do Bolivian rams grow?
Adults reach a maximum length of about eight centimetres. Males are typically slightly larger than females and may display longer extensions on their dorsal and caudal fins.
What water conditions do they need?
They thrive in soft, warm water with a near-neutral pH between 6.3 and 7.6. They are more tolerant of lower temperatures and varied conditions than related species.
Do they make good community tank fish?
Yes, but they are shy. They require peaceful tankmates and hiding places like plants or wood. Aggressive or fast-feeding fish are not suitable companions for them.
How do they reproduce in captivity?
They are biparental spawners. The female lays up to 200 eggs on flat surfaces. Both parents guard the clutch and move the fry to shallow pits after hatching.
Good reading and sources
- Mikrogeophagus altispinosus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Mikrogeophagus altispinosus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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