Bolivian Ram is often known as Bolivian Ram Cichlid or Bolivian butterfly, scientific name Mikrogeophagus altispinosus is a fresh-water ray-shaped fish from the cichlid family. The species was first described within the scientific literature more than a century ago – in 1911.
Dwarf cichlids from South America are beloved by aquarists around the globe. These uncommon and brightly colored fish will embellish any tropical aquarium. In our article, we’ll attempt to cover all of the essential issues like – Care, Feeding, Tankmates about this lovely fish.
Bolivian Ram Cichlid facts
Scientific Name: Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
Lifespan: Four years
Size: 3.5 inches
Diet: Omnivore
Care Level: Beginner
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Colorful
Family: Cichlidae
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Tank Set-Up: Freshwater
Compatibility: Other peaceable freshwater fish
Bolivian Ram Cichlid Description
A Bolivian Ram is a dwarf cichlid that doesn’t develop more than 8 cm in size. She is peaceable and has an attention-grabbing shiny color and body form.
Despite their modest size, the Bolivian Rams are fish with high intelligence. They can acknowledge their grasp, kind robust pairs, and have a pronounced parental intuition.
The Bolivian Ram is nicely suited to basic aquariums, though it’s thought-about barely more aggressive than its closest relative, the German Blue Ram Cichlid.
The fish just isn’t troublesome to look after and maybe advisable for newbie aquarists.
Bolivian Ram Appearance
The Bolivian Ram cichlid grows as much as Eight cm long. Its principal color is pale yellow, its head and chest are shiny oranges. A darkish, rounded spot is positioned right in the course of the body on the perimeters, behind which noticeable grey stripes stretch in the direction of the tail.
The eyes of Bolivian butterflies are massive and a darkish vertical strip passes by them.
The dorsal fin is long and pointed, particularly in adult males. A red border extends alongside the higher half, and the intense rays of the caudal fin are equally colored. The fins themselves are transparent.
The life expectancy of Bolivian Ram within the aquarium is 5-7 years.
Habitat
The birthplace of the Bolivian Ram is the tropical ponds of South America. The fish may be discovered within the huge territory of Brazil and Bolivia. The first copies of this Bolivian Ram have been caught exactly within the territory of Bolivia, for which the fish obtained its name.
Bolivian Rams choose to dwell in shallow water, the place he finds shelter amongst snags and thickets of aquatic crops. Spends more often than not searching for bugs that dwell on the underside.
Feeding Bolivian Ram Cichlid
In nature, Bolivian Rams eat numerous invertebrates, which it digs from the underside. At the house, the most suitable choice could be to feed the fish with high-quality dry feed.
Unlike dwell or frozen feeds, they’re utterly balanced and, due to a posh of nutritional vitamins, make sure the health and longevity of your pets.
It’s very simple to deliver an infection with dwell meals into the aquarium, which cannot be stated about dry meals.
When choosing meals, the smallmouth size of the Bolivian butterfly ought to be taken under consideration.
Tetra Rubin flakes is a feed with a high content of natural color enhancers. After a couple of weeks of feeding, you’ll discover that your fishes have change into a lot brighter;
Tetra Cichlid Color Mini pellets is a meal specifically formulated for small cichlids. Contains numerous high-quality proteins, in addition to natural color enhancers;
To diversify the menu of Bolivian butterflies, natural delicacies in nutritious jelly – Tetra FreshDelica will assist. You can supply bloodworms or brine shrimps to your cichlids, which they are going to certainly like.
It is suggested to feed Bolivian Rams in small parts to keep away from overeating.
Bolivian Ram Cichlid Care and Maintenance
If you propose to maintain these lovely fishes in your aquarium then you need to know that Bolivian Rams require at least 20 liters of water per fish. You can put a few fish within the aquarium, however, it’s higher if it’s a small group of 6-Eight people.
Bolivian Ram may be very keen on digging within the ground, so it’s higher to maintain a sandy or small-pebble base in your aquarium. This fish will look great amongst natural decorations like stones, snags, and dwelling crops. Bolivian Rams choose dim lightings.
The fishes need locations for hiding thus you need so as to add crops and different decorations in your aquarium, not forgetting to depart a spot for swimming. Bolivian butterflies don’t harm the leaves of crops, so you should use any species you want: wallisneria, echinodorus, cryptocorynes, and so on.
The more shelter within the aquarium, the higher. You can construct them utilizing the accessible decorations, or add ceramic pots and coconut halves. Be certain to place a number of flat stones on the backside, it’s possible that they are going to be a great place for spawning Bolivian Rams.
Pure water is the important thing to the well-being of the Bolivian Rams. Be certain to put in a filter appropriate for energy within the aquarium and guarantee correct aeration. Once every week, water will need to get replaced with contemporary water. It ought to be 20% of the quantity of the aquarium.
The water from the central water provide is totally unsuitable for conserving fish, so before changing it have to be made secure for the inhabitants. To keep a snug temperature of those thermophilic cichlids, you’ll need a thermostat.
The optimum water parameters for the content are: T = 23-26 ° C, pH = 6.0-7.5, GH = 5-15.
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Bolivian Ram Cichlid Tank Mates
Bolivian Ram is a peaceable cichlid. You can preserve Bolivian Rams with different dwarf cichlids or different fishes who’re peaceable in nature.
The Bolivian rams will get alongside nicely with Neon tetra, Pygmy Corydoras, Rummy nostril tetra, Molly fish, Swordtail fish, Gourami fish, Tiger barb, silver dollar, pleco fish, Odessa barbs, and so on.
You ought to keep away from conserving your Bolivian rams with large and predatory fishes as these nig fishes would possibly start searching these butterflies.
Between themselves, Bolivian rams dwell collectively if the quantity of the aquarium is enough. Clashes between males are possible without critical penalties.
Breeding Bolivian Ram Cichlid
To breed a Bolivian Ram at the house, You will need a separate spawning tank as a result of within the basic aquarium the chance of consuming fry by different fish will increase sharply.
Sexual dimorphism within the Bolivian Ram just isn’t expressed. A sexually mature male (about one-year-old) may be recognized by bigger body sizes, elongated fins, and a brighter color.
It just isn’t advisable to create a pair artificially, generally, this can result in the rejection of spawning or destruction of the masonry. It is best to maintain a bunch of fish within the spawning aquarium of an applicable quantity and allow them to select their partner.
Fine soil, massive flat stone, and a bunch of small-leaved crops ought to be positioned within the spawning aquarium. Ideally, the capability ought to be at the least 60 liters.
It is possible to stimulate fish for spawning with the assistance of small each day water modifications and elevating the temperature to 27-28 ° С. If the pair is prepared for spawning, they are going to start to clear the place for caviar, normally a flat stone. Then the feminine lays 100 to 200 eggs, which are then fertilized by the male.
The burden of caring for the offspring lies on the shoulders of each parent. The principal watch is carried by the feminine, the male replaces it with feeding time. Parents fan the eggs with their fins, making a movement of water, and in addition, take away the lifeless.
The incubation of eggs is short-lived, it takes solely 2-4 days. The fry that was born for about one other week feeds on the yolk sac, after which they swap to impartial meal manufacturing. At first, younger parents guard their newly-born offspring. Read more about what-do-gars-eat.