Bolivian Ram

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

A hardy, peaceful dwarf cichlid that sifts sand for food. More tolerant of cooler water and varied chemistry than the Blue Ram.

Care Parameters

Adult size

8 cm

Min tank

75 L

Temperature

23–28°C

6–7.5

2–12 dGH

Diet

Omnivore

Temperament

Peaceful

Water zone

Bottom

Difficulty

Beginner

Schooling

Pairs or groups of 6 or more in a roomy tank.

Suitable Plants

Dwarf Sagittaria

Care profile for Dwarf Sagittaria: low-medium light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Java Fern

Care profile for Java Fern: low light, none CO₂, beginner difficulty.

Rotala sp. h'ra

A stunning stem plant that develops intense orange-red coloration under high light and CO2. Narrow leaves arranged in whorls create a striking background accent in aquascapes.

Monte Carlo

Care profile for Monte Carlo: high light, medium CO₂, intermediate difficulty.

Frogbit

A popular floating plant with round, lily-pad-like leaves and long, trailing roots. Excellent for nutrient吸收 and providing cover for fish fry and shy species.

Compatible Invertebrates

Blue Crayfish

A selectively bred color morph of the red swamp crayfish with brilliant blue coloration. Hardy and active, but will eat plants and harass tank mates.

Golden Back Yellow Shrimp

A bright yellow color morph of Neocaridina davidi with a distinctive golden back stripe. Hardy, prolific breeder, and excellent algae consumer for planted tanks.

Assassin Snail

The striped predator of the aquarium world, kept to hunt down pest snails and worms. It burrows by day and hunts by night, and will happily share a tank with fish and plants - it ignores shrimp and fish entirely. Also known as Clea helena; both names are accepted.

Mystery Snail

A colorful, active apple snail that cruises the glass for algae and leftover food. Pairs lay their pink egg clutches above the waterline - remove them to avoid overpopulation. Keep hardness at 7-18 dGH and offer calcium-rich foods so the shell stays strong.