About Bolivian Ram
The Bolivian Ram, also known as the Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid, is a hardy and beautiful dwarf cichlid that serves as an excellent alternative to the more demanding German Blue Ram. Native to the Amazon River basin in Bolivia and Brazil, these fish inhabit warm, slow-moving waters with sandy bottoms and submerged wood. They display subtle but attractive coloration with a golden-brown base, iridescent blue highlights on their face and fins, and distinctive orange-red edges on their dorsal and tail fins. Unlike their German Blue Ram cousins, Bolivian Rams are significantly hardier, more adaptable to water parameters, and tolerate a wider temperature range. They are peaceful, curious fish that form monogamous pairs and show fascinating parental care behaviors. Their manageable size, resilience, and engaging personalities make them perfect for beginners wanting to venture into dwarf cichlids, while still satisfying experienced aquarists with their interesting behaviors and subtle beauty.
Care Guide
Care Requirements
Tank Setup
Bolivian Rams need caves, flat stones, or driftwood for spawning and hiding. Sandy or fine gravel substrate for sifting behavior. Moderately planted with open swimming areas. Use rocks, caves, or flower pots to create territories. Gentle filtration is essential as they prefer calm waters. Dim lighting or plant cover reduces stress.
Water Quality
- Temperature: 72-79°F (22-26°C)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- Water Hardness: Soft to moderate (3-15 dGH)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
- Nitrate: <30 ppm
Much more adaptable than German Blue Rams but still appreciate stable conditions. Can tolerate standard community tank parameters. Regular water changes (25% weekly) maintain health.
Feeding
Omnivores that appreciate varied diet:
- High-quality small pellets or flakes as staple
- Frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia (3-4 times weekly)
- Blanched vegetables: zucchini, spinach, peas
- Spirulina flakes for vegetable matter
- Live foods as treats for conditioning
Feed 2-3 small meals daily. They enjoy sifting through substrate for food.
Behavior & Compatibility
Peaceful and curious bottom-dwelling fish. Best kept as a mated pair; may become aggressive to other rams during breeding. Can be kept with other peaceful community fish. They establish small territories but rarely cause problems. Excellent tank mates for tetras, rasboras, and Corydoras. Males may spar but rarely injure each other.
Common Health Issues
- Bloat: Often from overfeeding or poor diet; maintain balanced nutrition
- Fin rot: From poor water quality; keep tank clean
- Ich: Treatable with standard methods; they tolerate standard doses well
- Bacterial infections: Secondary to stress; maintain pristine water
Breeding
Egg layers that form monogamous pairs. Flat stones, driftwood, or aquarium glass serve as spawning sites. Both parents care for eggs and fry. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days; fry free-swimming in 5-7 days. Parents may eat eggs if stressed. Fry eat baby brine shrimp and crushed flake. Excellent first cichlid for learning about parental care.
Tips for Success
- Much hardier than German Blue Rams; good beginner dwarf cichlid
- Keep as a pair for best behavior and potential breeding
- Provide caves or flat stones for spawning
- Ensure other tank mates are peaceful and not fin nippers
- Allow 2-3 weeks for full color development after purchase
- Can be kept in standard community tank parameters
- Sift through substrate constantly; provide sand or fine gravel
- Quarantine 1-2 weeks before adding to community