🐟 Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
Friendly Dwarf Cichlid • Peaceful Community Favourite • Easy-Going and Colourful
 
📋 The Bolivian Ram, also called the Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid or Ruby Crown Cichlid, is the easy-going cousin of the German Blue Ram. It has a warm golden-olive body with a sweep of blue and a ruby-red glow around the eyes and fins, tall dorsal spines, and long flowing fins as it matures. It's peaceful, full of personality, and one of the best-behaved cichlids you can keep in a community tank.
Bolivian Rams are happy at normal tropical temperatures, around 22-26°C, with a bit of extra warmth for spawning, and they accept a wider range of water conditions than the German Blue Ram. That makes them a lovely choice for a planted community tank. They enjoy sifting the sand, and they are best bought young in a small group, so a pair can form naturally.
 
💡 Highlights
🕊️ Peaceful Nature: One of the calmest cichlids, great for community tanks
🌡️ Happy at Normal Tropical Temperatures: No need for ultra-warm water
💧 Adaptable: Accepts a wide range of water conditions
🌿 Planted-Tank Friendly: Sifts sand gently without wrecking plants
💞 Easy Pair-Bonder: A popular first cichlid to breed