Bolivian Rams: Aggressive Or Peaceful Fish For Your Aquarium?

Bolivian Rams, also known as Butterfly Rams or Ruby Cichlids, are a peaceful and colourful addition to any community tank. They are native to the rivers and streams of Bolivia and Brazil and are a hardy species with a life expectancy of around four years. They are not aggressive like many other cichlids and are known for their shy and unusual swimming behaviour. They are also easy to breed in captivity and are a good choice for beginners.

Bolivian Rams are peaceful, non-aggressive cichlids

Bolivian Rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) are peaceful, non-aggressive cichlids. They are a great choice for a community tank as they are not aggressive like many other cichlids. They are a hardy and healthy species with a life expectancy of around four years.

In the wild, Bolivian Rams inhabit the shallow waters of the Amazon River Basin in Bolivia and Brazil. They prefer slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy substrates and plenty of vegetation for cover.

In captivity, they do well in a tropical fish tank with plenty of hiding spots and calm water flow. They are not picky eaters and will eat just about anything, including pellets, flakes, live worms, and frozen meaty foods.

Bolivian Rams are known for their unique swimming behaviour. They swim for a few strokes and then stop abruptly, repeating this pattern. This behaviour is thought to prevent them from stirring up the substrate while sifting through it for food.

These fish are also interesting in that they are not shoaling fish, but they do appreciate the company of others. They do best in pairs or small groups of their own kind.

Overall, Bolivian Rams make excellent additions to a peaceful community tank, getting along well with most other peaceful species. They are a great choice for beginners due to their hardiness, ease of care, and stunning colours.

They are native to Bolivia and Brazil

Bolivian Rams, scientifically known as Mikrogeophagus altispinosus, are native to the southern Amazon River basin in Bolivia and Brazil. They are endemic to the Mamoré and lower Guaporé River drainages in these two countries. The type locality is the Mamoré River at San Joaquín in the Beni Department of Bolivia.

The species is found in the soft, near-neutral (pH 6.3–7.6) and warm waters of these river systems, typically in slow-moving waters with sandy substrates and an abundance of vegetation. This environment provides them with ample hiding spots and foraging opportunities.

In Brazil, a variant of the species, known as Mikrogeophagus maculicauda, is found in the Pindaituba River, a tributary of the Sararé River, which is part of the upper Guaporé River basin in Mato Grosso.

Bolivian Rams are popular among freshwater aquarium enthusiasts due to their vibrant colours, peaceful nature, and relatively easy care requirements. They are often traded under common names such as Bolivian Butterfly, Ruby Crown Cichlid, and Ruby Head Cichlid.

These fish are native to South America, specifically the freshwater systems of Bolivia and Brazil, and are not considered endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their ability to adapt to captivity makes them widely available in fish stores and online.

They are omnivores

Bolivian Rams are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant matter and small invertebrates. In the wild, they tend to sift through the substrate for plant material and small organisms. They can also feed on insects or plants at the water surface.

In captivity, they can be fed a diet of dry food, such as sinking pellets. This can be complemented with chopped-up earthworms, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and spirulina flakes. They should be fed small portions several times a day to avoid overfeeding and maintain water quality.

In terms of their natural habitat, the freshwater bodies inhabited by Bolivian Rams are relatively warm and acidic, with slow-moving water. The substrate is usually sandy or muddy, with plenty of organic matter and food sources.

To replicate their natural environment in an aquarium, it is recommended to use a sandy substrate with some pebbles. The tank should also include driftwood, caves, and flat rocks, as well as aquatic plants like Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and Water Wisteria.

Overall, Bolivian Rams are omnivorous fish that are easy to care for and can be kept by aquarists of all experience levels.

They are susceptible to common fish diseases

Bolivian Rams are susceptible to common fish diseases, so it's important to be vigilant and proactive in maintaining water quality and tank conditions to prevent illness. Here are some common diseases and issues to watch out for:

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich or White Spot Disease): This is a common aquatic parasite that affects many fish, including Bolivian Rams. It is often brought on by stress, poor water conditions, or an uninhabitable environment. Symptoms include fish flicking or flashing against objects in the tank and the appearance of tiny white dots on the body, gills, and fins. Treatment involves raising water temperature or using copper-based medications, and quarantine is necessary to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading.

Bacterial Infections: Poor water quality and inadequate diet can lead to bacterial infections in Bolivian Rams. Common signs include red spots on the body, rapid gill movement, discoloration, and skin ulcers. Treatment involves administering antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian or purchased from an aquarium store.

Anchor Worms: Anchor worms are large parasitic crustaceans that attach to the fish's skin and bury their heads in the fish's muscles. Symptoms include red and inflamed scales, lethargy, ragged fins, and mucus production. Treatment involves carefully removing the parasites and applying topical antibiotic ointment, as well as using anti-parasitic medications and performing water changes.

Ammonia Poisoning: High levels of ammonia can build up in the tank, especially when it is newly set up or when too many new fish are introduced simultaneously. Symptoms include red or purple gills and fish gasping for breath at the water surface. To treat and prevent ammonia poisoning, reduce ammonia levels with a neutralizer, perform water changes, stock your tank slowly, avoid overfeeding, and regularly remove uneaten food.

Velvet (Gold Dust Infection): Velvet is caused by the parasite Oödinium and is common in tropical fish. It is often triggered by stress, poor water quality, transportation, sudden temperature changes, or other factors. Symptoms include fish scratching their bodies against hard surfaces, weight loss, rapid breathing, and a yellow to rust-colored dust on the body. Treatment involves increasing water temperature, dimming aquarium lights, and using copper sulfate for at least 10 days in a quarantine tank.

Fungal Infections: Unclean water conditions and decaying organic material can lead to fungal infections in Bolivian Rams. Symptoms include grey cotton-like growths and coloration on the skin, gills, fins, and around the eyes. Treatment involves cleaning the tank, using potassium permanganate, and applying topical antifungal treatments. Increasing the water temperature can also help, as fungal infections thrive in colder temperatures.

It is important to monitor your Bolivian Rams closely and maintain optimal water conditions and tank hygiene to prevent and treat these common diseases effectively.

They are easy to breed in captivity

Bolivian Rams are easy to breed in captivity. They are open spawners in the natural environment, producing around 100 eggs per spawning. In the aquarium, breeding them can be more challenging. The best way to find a breeding pair is to buy a group of four to eight juvenile fish and allow them to pair off naturally.

You don't necessarily need to use a spawning tank, provided the conditions are right for breeding in the community tank. If you have a large setup, these awesome fish will most likely pair off, establish a territory, and begin breeding naturally.

First, you must have a spacious tank of at least 50 gallons for one pair of Bolivian Rams. In addition, keep the light in the tank at a low level and the water temperature ideally between 77° to 82°F.

You must also include plenty of shelter in the form of caves, plants, and large stones that the fish can lay their eggs on. Once the conditions are right, the breeding pair will begin preparing and cleaning their chosen area before spawning. The female then swims over the nesting area a few times, laying her eggs as she goes.

During this time, the male ram protects the area and drives away any fish that might attempt to eat the eggs. Once the eggs have been deposited, the male swims over them, fertilizing them externally. Both parents then fan the eggs to keep them oxygenated and to prevent fungus from forming.

The eggs usually hatch within around 60 hours, and the fry will be free-swimming within about seven days. Over the following few weeks, the parents will carefully relocate the fry to different parts of the tank.

Initially, you can feed the fry Vinegar Eels or Shrimp Nauplii. Once the babies are around two months old, you can offer them the same diet as their parents. As the fry grow, you'll need to carry out daily water changes of around 30% to keep the water fresh and maintain low nitrate levels.

Frequently asked questions