The Perfect Habitat Setup For Bolivian Rams

The Bolivian Ram Cichlid, also known as the Bolivian Butterfly, is a captivating addition to any aquarium. This small and attractive freshwater fish is prized for its striking colours, peaceful nature, and unique personalities. In the wild, they are found in the rivers and streams of Bolivia and Brazil, particularly in shallow, slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy bottoms and lush vegetation. To replicate their natural habitat in a tank, it is recommended to use a sandy substrate, driftwood, rocks, and live plants to create a well-structured environment with ample hiding spots. The water temperature should be maintained between 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C), with a pH level between 6 and 7.5, and a hardness of 5 to 15 dGH.

Water parameters

Bolivian Rams are native to the freshwater systems of Bolivia and Brazil, where they inhabit shallow, slow-moving waters enriched with vegetation and submerged branches and roots that offer shelter and shade. To replicate their natural environment in your tank, aim for the following water parameters:

• Water Temperature: Maintain a water temperature between 73.4°F to 79°F (23°C to 26°C). Bolivian Rams can tolerate a broader range of 72°F to 82.4°F (22°C to 28°C), but this optimal range will keep them comfortable and healthy.
• PH Level: Target a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5, leaning slightly towards acidity, as this mimics their natural habitat.
• Water Hardness: Keep the water hardness between 5 to 15 dGH, which indicates soft water.
• Water Flow: Install a filter that maintains a lower water flow, as Bolivian Rams are accustomed to slower-moving waters.
• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 20% to 25% to keep the water clean and fresh. Remove any organic waste and uneaten food to maintain optimal water quality.
• Lighting: Bolivian Rams prefer dim, scattered light, so consider using floating plants to create a shaded environment and reduce direct light.
• Nitrate Levels: Monitor nitrate levels closely and perform water changes as needed to prevent toxic levels from accumulating.
• Water Oxygenation: Ensure the water is well-oxygenated, as this is crucial for the health and happiness of your Bolivian Rams.

Tank setup

The Bolivian Ram is a captivating addition to any aquarium, celebrated for its striking colours and peaceful nature. In the wild, they favour shallow, slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy bottoms and lush vegetation. To replicate their natural habitat in your tank, you should aim to create a well-structured environment with ample hiding spots and plenty of open swimming space. Here are some key considerations for setting up a tank for Bolivian Rams:

• Tank Size: The minimum recommended tank size is 20 gallons (75 litres) for a pair of Bolivian Rams. However, a larger tank is preferable to provide more swimming space and better territorial divisions, contributing to a healthier and more comfortable environment. For a group of 6-8 Bolivian Rams, a tank capacity of 44 gallons (200 litres) or larger is ideal.
• Substrate: Use a sandy substrate to mimic their natural habitat. Bolivian Rams like to sift through the substrate to look for food, so a sandy bottom will provide them with a naturalistic environment and help satisfy their foraging instincts.
• Decorations: Incorporate pieces of driftwood, stones, caves, or other snags to create hiding spots and visual barriers. These decorations also provide territorial divisions and reduce aggression, especially during breeding.
• Plants: Use live plants to create sheltered and shaded areas within the tank. Plants such as Java ferns, Vallisneria, Cryptocoryne, or Water Wisteria are excellent choices. Floating plants on the surface will provide additional shade and reduce light intensity.
• Lighting: Bolivian Rams prefer dim, scattered light. Use floating plants to diffuse the light, or keep the lighting settings low if adjustable.
• Water Flow: Install a filter that maintains a lower water flow as Bolivian Rams are accustomed to slow-moving waters in their natural habitat. An exterior-mounted canister filter will provide adequate filtration while minimising water flow.
• Water Temperature: Maintain a water temperature between 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C) for the comfort and health of your Bolivian Rams.
• PH Level: Keep the pH level between 6.0 and 7.5, slightly acidic, to replicate the natural water conditions they prefer.
• Water Hardness: Aim for a hardness level between 5 to 15 dGH, as Bolivian Rams prefer soft water.
• Water Changes: Perform weekly water changes of 10-25% to maintain optimal water quality and remove any organic waste or uneaten food.
• Filtration: Proper filtration is crucial to maintaining water quality and the health of your Bolivian Rams. Ensure you have an adequate filtration system and perform regular maintenance to keep the tank clean and well-oxygenated.

Lighting

Bolivian Rams are native to the freshwater systems of Bolivia and Brazil, where they inhabit slow-moving and shallow waters. In their natural habitat, they spend most of their time in shaded areas, so it is important to replicate this environment in your tank.

When setting up a tank for Bolivian Rams, it is recommended to keep the lighting low or include plants to provide shaded areas. Floating plants on the surface can help reduce light and create the dim, scattered light that these fish prefer.

If you have a planted tank that requires strong lighting, be sure to provide shaded areas within the tank as well. You can do this by positioning floating plants on the surface of the water or by creating caves or hiding spaces with rocks, driftwood, or other decorations.

It is also important to note that Bolivian Rams are sensitive to high nitrate levels, which can be reduced by performing regular water changes and using an appropriate filtration system.

Overall, when setting up the lighting for a Bolivian Ram tank, it is important to create a dim and scattered light environment while also ensuring that there are shaded areas for the fish to retreat to.

Filtration

Bolivian Rams require clean, well-oxygenated water, but they do not like strong currents. In their natural habitat, they are found in calm waters. Therefore, it is important to install a filter that maintains a lower water flow. An exterior-mounted canister filter is a good option, as it will also provide adequate aeration. The filter's outflow can be adjusted to dampen the flow, directing it towards the surface of the water to slightly reduce its strength.

The filtration system should be powerful enough to keep nitrate levels low, as Bolivian Rams are sensitive to high nitrate concentrations. In addition to a suitable filtration setup, regular water changes are crucial. Partial water changes of 10-25% should be performed weekly to maintain optimal water quality and reduce nitrate levels. This will help ensure the long-term health and success of keeping Bolivian Rams.

It is also important to note that young Bolivian Rams are particularly susceptible to high nitrate levels, which can even lead to mortality in juvenile specimens. Therefore, frequent water changes and proper filtration are essential for the well-being and survival of young fish.

To summarise, the key points for filtration and water maintenance are:

• Install a filter with adjustable outflow to maintain lower water flow.
• Use an exterior-mounted canister filter for adequate aeration.
• Adjust the outflow angle towards the water surface to slightly reduce flow strength.
• Choose a powerful enough filtration system to keep nitrate levels low.
• Perform weekly partial water changes of 10-25% to maintain optimal water quality.
• Ensure frequent water changes for young Bolivian Rams to prevent nitrate-related issues.

Tank mates

Bolivian Rams are peaceful and compatible with many different types of fish, making them suitable for community tank setups. They are not aggressive and are calm, shy, and non-confrontational towards other fish. They are also not schooling fish, but they do prefer to be in a group with other Bolivian Rams.

The main thing to look out for when choosing tank mates for Bolivian Rams is size. Smaller fish can be viewed as prey and may be eaten by Bolivian Rams. Small shrimp may also be seen as food rather than company. Similarly, larger tank mates may pose a threat to Bolivian Rams by competing with them for shelter and floor space.

Some good Bolivian Ram tank mates to consider are:

• Barbs (tiger, cherry, or Odessa)
• Celestial pearl danios
• Other dwarf cichlids
• Tetras (neon, emperor, or rummy nose)
• Angelfish
• Guppies (adult)
• Schools of small-sized Characidae species
• Other peaceful fish of similar size

Frequently asked questions