Bolivian Rams: Cycling Tank Survival Guide

Bolivian Rams are a beautiful and peaceful freshwater fish species that are a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts. They are native to the rivers and streams of Bolivia and Brazil and are known for their vibrant colours and interesting swimming patterns. In this article, we will be discussing whether Bolivian Rams can survive in a cycling tank. We will explore the ideal tank conditions and requirements for these fish and provide insights into their behaviour and care.

Water conditions and ideal tank setup

Bolivian Rams are native to the rivers and streams of Bolivia and Brazil, where they inhabit shallow, slow-moving waters with an abundance of vegetation. In the wild, they tend to dwell in areas with sandy or muddy substrates and plenty of hiding places such as rocks, driftwood, and plants.

When setting up a tank for Bolivian Rams, it is important to replicate their natural habitat as closely as possible. The ideal tank setup for these fish should include:

• A sandy substrate: Bolivian Rams like to sift through the sand for food and will appreciate a sandy substrate that mimics their natural environment.
• Live plants: Aquatic plants such as Java Fern, Amazon Swords, and Water Wisteria provide shelter and shade for Bolivian Rams. It is recommended to create dense planting with some open spaces for swimming.
• Rocks and driftwood: These provide additional hiding spots and breeding grounds. Smooth rocks or flat stones are ideal for spawning.
• Caves: Caves offer shelter and can be created using rocks, driftwood, or artificial decor.
• Dim lighting: Bolivian Rams prefer low to moderate lighting, so floating plants can be added to create shade.
• Spacious swimming areas: Bolivian Rams are active swimmers and require ample space to explore.
• External filtration: An external canister filter is recommended to maintain water quality without creating too much flow.
• Heater: A heater is necessary to maintain the ideal water temperature range.

In terms of water conditions, Bolivian Rams require specific parameters to thrive:

• Water temperature: The ideal temperature range is between 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C).
• PH level: The pH should be slightly acidic, ranging from 6 to 7.5.
• Water hardness: The hardness should be between 5 to 15 dGH, making it soft water.
• Water flow: Bolivian Rams prefer low water flow, so a filter that does not generate a strong current is ideal.
• Water changes: It is recommended to replace 20% to 25% of the water weekly, removing any organic waste and uneaten food.

Food and diet recommendations

Bolivian Rams are omnivores and will eat almost anything you give them. In the wild, they sift through the substrate for small organisms and plant material. In captivity, they do well on a diet of dry food, such as sinking pellets, and enjoy the occasional treat of chopped-up earthworms or brine shrimp.

It is recommended to feed them a variety of high-quality flakes and pellets as the main component of their diet. These can be easily found in pet stores and are specifically formulated to meet their nutritional needs.

In addition to flakes and pellets, it is beneficial to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, or daphnia. These options mimic their natural prey and add variety to their meals, which is important for their overall health and well-being.

While live and frozen foods are important, it is also a good idea to occasionally include vegetable matter in their diet. Blanched spinach or peas provide additional fiber and nutrients.

To ensure your Bolivian Rams are receiving proper nutrition, it is essential to offer a varied diet. Sinking pellets can serve as the primary dry food, while live and frozen foods can be given as supplements.

When it comes to feeding frequency and portion size, it is best to feed them small amounts multiple times a day rather than one large meal. This helps prevent overeating and also helps maintain water quality in the aquarium.

By paying attention to their feeding schedule and portion sizes, you can help keep your Bolivian Rams healthy and happy.

Breeding

Separating the fish will prevent aggressive behaviour and increase the survival chances of the offspring. To begin the breeding process, place a bonded pair into a large tank. If there is no bonded pair, introduce a group of young fish and allow them to pair up naturally. The male and female will stick together once they have paired off.

The female will then seek out a flat stone or cave to lay her eggs. After the female lays her eggs, the male will swim over to fertilise them. Both parents will then defend the eggs, which usually takes around 3-4 days to hatch. The parents are protective of their offspring and will move them to different areas of the tank, even attempting to camouflage them. After about a week, the babies will be able to swim freely, and the parents will lead them in large groups to find food.

The female will fan the eggs with strong movements of her pectoral fin to keep the water moving above them. The male and female will take turns performing this task. The eggs will usually hatch after two to three days, and once they are hatched, they will be transported to a shallow pit that the male previously dug, where they will continue to be watched over by both parents.

New parents may eat their eggs or fry after their first breeding attempt, but they generally get it right on the second or third try. This is normal, and you shouldn't be too concerned if this happens.

Bolivian Rams reach reproductive age at around 9 to 10 months old, when they are around 1.5 inches long (4 cm). It is difficult to determine their sex at this age, as they usually only show sexual dimorphism once they reach full size and maturity.

To set up a tank for breeding, it is recommended to have a separate tank with a capacity of at least 15 gallons (68 litres). To make the fish feel comfortable, line the bottom of the tank with substrate, flat stones, and small plants.

Raise the water temperature to between 80°F and 82°F (27°C to 28°C) to stimulate spawning, while keeping the pH between 7 and 7.5 and the water softness at 10 dGH.

The female will usually lay between 100 and 200 eggs in less than an hour, and then the male will fertilise them. Both parents will care for the eggs, fanning them to keep the water moving and removing any non-viable eggs. The male will guard the eggs and be protective of them.

After two to four days, the eggs will hatch, and the larvae will eat their egg sacs for about a week before starting to swim and become free-swimming fry. Feed the young brine shrimp, vinegar eels, or nauplii. It is recommended to keep the offspring in the breeding tank until they are two to three months old and large enough to join the community in the main tank.

Tank Setup for Breeding

Bolivian Rams require a minimum tank size of 29 gallons (110 litres) for a small group, but a larger tank is preferable to provide more space to swim and explore. The ideal tank size for a group of four to eight Bolivian Rams is 200 litres (44 gallons).

The water temperature for these fish should be between 72°F and 79°F (22°C to 26°C), with a pH level between 6 and 7.5 and a hardness of 5 to 15 dGH.

It is important to provide hiding spaces, such as stones, caves, driftwood, and live plants. Recommended plants include Java Ferns, Vallisneria, Cryptocoryne, or Water Wisteria. It is also beneficial to create shaded areas in the tank by using floating plants or lowering the lights.

Bolivian Rams are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods. In the wild, they feed on small invertebrates, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. In captivity, they can be fed commercial flake or pellet-based foods, as well as brine shrimp, tubifex, daphnia, or bloodworms as a treat.

It is best to feed them small amounts several times a day to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Common diseases and ailments

Bolivian Rams are susceptible to common fish ailments and diseases, just like any other fish. While they are not at high risk for any major problems, you will have to deal with common ailments like Ich if you're not careful.

Ich (or White Spot Disease) is a highly contagious and fatal parasite that can quickly take over a fish's body if it's not dealt with. The first signs of Ich are small white spots on the body and gills of your fish, which may combine to form irregular white patches. The ciliate protozoan Ichthyophthirius multifiliis causes this disease in Bolivian Rams. Each of the white spots you see is an individual parasite located just beneath the fish's transparent skin.

To treat Ich, you can increase the water temperature to about 86 degrees Fahrenheit to see if the fish heal, as the warmer water speeds up the parasite's life cycle. Copper-based medicines are also available. It is important to quarantine any sick fish to prevent the spread of Ich.

Another common disease is Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamitiasis), which is caused by flagellate protozoans (Hexamita or Sprionucleus). Small holes appear on the body of the fish, especially near the head, and turn into tubular eruptions. The illness can be treated with medicated fish food or by adding the drug metronidazole directly to the tank.

Dropsy is a condition where fluid accumulates inside the body cavity and tissues of the Bolivian Ram, resulting in a swollen belly and protruding scales. It can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, parasites, poor water conditions, sudden temperature changes, stress, improper nutrition, or overcrowding. To treat Dropsy, remove the affected fish to a separate tank with perfect water quality and excellent food, and treat the aquarium with an antibacterial.

Fin Rot, often caused by bacteria, typically affects Bolivian Rams that are in poor condition due to fighting, poor water conditions, poor nutrition, overcrowding, or overfeeding. Infections can be cured by moving the infected fish to a separate tank and treating the aquarium with an antibacterial.

Physical damage, such as open wounds or loss of scales, is usually caused by aggressive fish that attack their tank mates. Putting hurt fish into a separate tank and treating them with an antibacterial, as well as adding salt to the water, can help heal the wounds.

Gills problems, such as swollen gills or rapid gill movements, are often caused by poor water conditions, such as toxic levels of ammonia or chlorine, or by infections from bacteria, protozoans, or parasites.

To prevent most diseases, it is important to maintain good water quality, provide a stress-free environment, and ensure optimal nutrition for your Bolivian Rams.

Ideal tank mates

When choosing tank mates for your Bolivian Ram, it's important to consider their size and peaceful temperament. As a bottom feeder, it's best to pair them with top-feeding fish that won't compete for food and space. Here are some ideal tank mates that meet these criteria:

Cherry Barbs

Cherry Barbs are peaceful and shy, just like Bolivian Rams. They grow to a similar size, reaching approximately 2 inches in length. They thrive in tanks with plenty of plants, foliage, and rocks to swim around in.

Platyfish

Platyfish are not only amiable but also adaptable to various water conditions. While male Platyfish may display aggression towards each other, they rarely show this behaviour towards Bolivian Rams. Platyfish are active swimmers and do well in schools of three to six individuals. To accommodate their swimming habits, a larger tank of 50 to 75 gallons is recommended.

Molly Fish

Molly Fish, native to Central and South America, are known for their calm and peaceful nature. They typically grow to a length of 2 to 4 inches. In addition to being peaceful tank mates, Molly Fish will help keep your aquarium clean by eating all kinds of algae. They are omnivores, so a varied diet that includes insects and worms is ideal.

Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras Catfish are small, fascinating fish with beautiful patterns on their skin. They typically grow to a length of 1 to 3 inches. The Pygmy Cory or Dwarf Cory varieties are excellent choices as they are peaceful and won't compete with Bolivian Rams for food or territory. Bolivian Rams and Corydoras tend to keep to themselves, but if the Rams are spawning, they may chase the Corydoras. Therefore, a larger tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended to provide enough space for separate grazing territories.

Dwarf Gouramis

Dwarf Gouramis are great communal fish that get along well with Bolivian Rams. They have a similar size, reaching a length of around 3.5 inches, and a peaceful temperament. Additionally, Dwarf Gouramis tend to stay close to the top of the tank, while Bolivian Rams are bottom feeders, reducing the chance of competition. With proper care, Dwarf Gouramis can match the four-year lifespan of Bolivian Rams.

Silver Dollar Fish

Silver Dollar Fish are not only stunning but also one of the largest fish on this list, growing up to 6 inches in length. They require a spacious tank of at least 75 gallons to ensure they have enough room to roam. Silver Dollar Fish are semi-aggressive and will get along with any fish that doesn't fit into their mouths, such as Bolivian Ram fry. They are prolific plant-eaters, so using hardier varieties of live plants or opting for plastic plants is recommended.

Rummy Nose Tetras

Rummy Nose Tetras are peaceful and shy, just like Bolivian Rams, and they are smaller in size. They are identifiable by their bright red heads and slender bodies. These tetras typically grow to a maximum length of 1.5 inches. To care for Rummy Nose Tetras, provide them with plenty of plants and ornaments, and ensure regular water changes to keep them healthy and happy.

Kuhli Loaches

Kuhli Loaches are tiny and peaceful freshwater fish that can coexist with various other peaceful species, including Bolivian Rams. They are bottom feeders with a diet that includes both plant-based and meaty foods. To protect their underbellies, use a soft and smooth substrate in the tank. Providing hiding places, such as Java moss or fern, will help make them feel comfortable.

Angelfish

Angelfish and Bolivian Rams can be good tank mates as they both have low temperaments and tend to stay out of each other's way. Angelfish grow much larger than Bolivian Rams, so ensure you have a spacious tank with plenty of swimming space. A minimum tank size of 55 gallons is recommended. Adding plants and decorations will provide hiding places and reduce boredom for both species.

Guppies

Guppies are peaceful and shy fish that will likely spend most of their time hiding from other species in the tank. They do well with Bolivian Rams as they also appreciate hiding spaces and territories. For a pair of Bolivian Rams and Guppies, a 20-gallon tank is recommended, with an additional 5 gallons for each additional fish. Guppies enjoy having plants and decorations, such as rocks or ornaments, in their environment.

Frequently asked questions