To help in warding off dangerous rams have spines in their fins which can catch in the mouths and throats of predators to prevent the ram from being swallowed. Males can grow a little larger, up to 3.5 inches (9 cm). Above: In the picture, a young mature premium quality Crown Ruby Bolivian Ram Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture . They are so cute and very playful. Fishes bring immense joy to me. The Bolivian Ram also requires a few caves in which to hide in and stones to spawn on. The male will switch between guarding the nest while the female lays eggs and fertilizing the eggs while she rests and keeps watch. Care should be taken so that the fry are not sucked into the filter. When its time for the reproduction process to begin, the abdomen of the female blushes with a pink or red coloration. View a wide selection of Fish and other great items on KSL Classifieds. Also, the breeding tube of the females is larger and rounder while the male's is more pointed and smaller. The Bolivian ram grows a little larger than it's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm (4 in.) Female Bolivian rams are slightly smaller than the males. 2 Bolivian rams m:f ratio 3 Bolivian rams m:F ratio 4 Bolivian rams m:f ratio 5 Bolivian rams m:f ratio ... that is, looking at the genital papilla during spawning. They hang out near the bottom but are out in the open all the time. answer #2. debcc. They are generally shy and will prefer to avoid other fish by hiding around the tank in caves and under decorations. Expect your fish to grow to about 3 inches in length (7.6 cm). Watch out for their spines when trying to handle a Bolivian ram. As long as you keep the tank in the right conditions since rams have specific environmental needs. Both the male and female share the rearing of the fry, and it has been reported that they will take them into their mouths to protect them like a mouth brooder. The front and sides of their fins are soft so they can move their fins and swim. Size. Not valid on previous orders. Typically Bolivian rams can go up to 2 weeks without food, young Bolivian ram fish will survive for about 3-4 days with out food. Good plants to include in a Bolivian ram tank are the Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Vallisneria, Anubias Nana, and Wisteria. The sheer number of fries created in one spawning can also be a problem. Bolivian rams have distinctive black spots on their sides as well as black stripes over their eyes. They are with angel fish and also the German blue ram. Peat should be added to the water. The difference will become much more noticeable after the fish is a few months older. This behavior helps them filter feed without churning up the sediment at the bottom of the tank too much. If you keep your tank at the correct conditions, have plenty of space, and keep places for the rams to hide they will begin to breed on their own. There are thousands of different species of fish kept in aquariums and tanks across the…, Any healthy fish tank often has a little bit of algae in it – a…, Some of the most beautiful aquariums are those that contain fish from the sea. total length, females remaining a little smaller. FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $29 and up. A black 'spot' is in the center of the body and a black line runs from the top of the eye to the bottom of the head. For the best results pair Bolivian rams with fish that swim in higher levels of the tank and will not compete with your rams for hiding spaces. The Bolivian Ram is an egg layer that prefers soft to medium hardness, neutral pH and slightly raised water temperatures (77-82°F). Rams are a generally peaceful species of fish that rely on avoiding predators by hiding in order to survive. The Bolivian Ram Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (previously Paplilochromis altispinosus) is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful cichlid.This is a dwarf cichlid, only reaching up to about 3 1/2 inches (8.9 cm) in length. Bolivian rams are also susceptible to many different infections and parasites that can cause lethal problems for them. Bolivian rams are fiercely protective parents and will attack any fish that gets too close to their eggs, even their own fries from a previous spawning. Bolivian rams are the exception to this rule and are a generally peaceful species that get along well with other fish. If your fish are well fed but are not getting the nutrients they need this can also lead to health issues. Bolivian Rams are Cichlids and unlike their closely related cousins (such as the Green Terror Cichlid) they are peaceful. The Bolivian Ram requires a tank of 30 gallons minimum. Very active and hardy. While they are not nocturnal they enjoy dark conditions due to coming from an area where plants regularly block light to the water. It is relatively straightforward to differentiate male from female Bolivian Ram Cichlids. They normally choose a flat rock or a depression in the substrate to lay their eggs. Bolivian rams are a social species and live best in schools of 4-8 individuals. Frozen foods such as bring shrimp, blood worms and white worms are also a good choice. Why is my female Bolivian ram being so aggressive towards a male Bolivian ram that I just bought? Bolivian rams will generally live between 4-6 years if properly taken care of. They will both swim over the same area, and then the male will start to guard. This exotic fish is native to the river basins of Bolivia and Brazil but can now be found in tanks and aquariums worldwide. On the other hand, female specimens usually don’t reach 3 inches at all. I have a 20 gallon long tank One Bush head Pleco One blue Gourami (3spot) One rainbow shark. Geophagus Red Head Tapajos Show Quality Fry. ! In the wild Bolivian ram inhabits Amazon river headstream and Guaporé and Mamoré river basins. This condition can be treated by raising the water level to 86 degrees or with over-the-counter medications. Peat should be added to the water. Crenicara altispinosa Haseman, 1911; Microgeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911); Papiliochromis altispinosus(Haseman, 1911) $9.99. Fishes bring immense joy to me. The rams have spawned three times and by day two the eggs have disappeared. I love these fish. The tank should have several dense plant groups and plenty of open swimming space. A Pair of German Blue Ram Cichlid (a Male & a Female) $50.00. It's so cute, too! The Bolivian Ram requires a tank of 30 gallons minimum. The eggs will hatch 60 hours after fertilization at which point the parents will take their fries and move them to another location in the tank. Bolivian rams are bottom feeders who operate by filtering food from the water and sediment around them while swimming. *FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquatic life orders $149 and up. 18 watching. If you have more than one ram add 5-10 extra gallons per ram. On the other hand, the ram is not large or aggressive enough to protect itself from more dangerous fish like other cichlids. They are a tropical freshwater fish so keep the water between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and do not use saltwater. When that time passes, they begin to assemble into exclusive mating pairs (for life). I believe that males also have longer trailers, although that may vary depending on the genes. Bolivian rams are not completely harmless, however, and you should be careful when picking tank mates for them. The female will lay up to 200 eggs on stones and occasionally, in depressions. or Best Offer. Males can have longer dorsal fins. Make sure you have enough space for your rams as well as enough hiding spaces and food for them to use. I LOVE this fish! The males will be much smaller and pointy. They live in the Rio Madeira, Mamoré, and Guaporé river basins which pass through northern Bolivia and parts of Brazil. A Bolivian Ram is a dwarf cichlid that does not grow more than 8 cm in length. I bought 2 Bolivian Rams yesterday. Underfeeding especially can lead to conflicts among fish for food access. The female will lay some eggs, the male will come and fertilize them, and then go back to guarding them. They require a well-planted tank, but their upkeep is easy, even for beginner fish owners! I just inherited a fish from a friend who needs to tear down some of her tanks. Bolivian rams can also be territorial if their tank is too small or if they have to compete with other bottom feeders and shy fish for space. Stocking your tank with a colony ensures a happier life for these fish, especially when breeding them. The Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) is known under many common names: Butterfly Ram, Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid and Ruby Cichlid. A female will have a much larger "fat" vent. $19.99 shipping. The Bolivian Ram is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful cichlid, also called the Butterfly Ram and the Red Ram, is a social fish that will form pairs There are no reviews for this product. This is to be expected and small school fights like this rarely result in any real damage to your fish. Bolivian rams are omnivores and not picky about their food eating plant or meat-based foods easily. Cichlids have a well-earned reputation as aggressive fish who will bully or even attack their tank mates. Reproduction: Bolivian Rams are egg-layers. If rams have to compete for space and resources they will violently attack each other. In the wild Bolivian rams are bottom feeders that eat by filtering the water they swim through for food. It does very well and is easy to care for. I've had mine for almost 2 years in a 30 gallon tank with assorted barbs and tetras, a pleco, bottom feeders, a dojo loach, and a 6" goldfish. I am the editor here at FishSpark.com. Alternatively, you can chop up earthworms and feed those to your fish. The best way to encourage your Bolivian rams to breed is to purchase around 8-10 young rams at once and let them form natural pairs. A well cared for Bolivian ram will live for around four years, though there are instances of them living slightly longer. She is peaceful and has an interesting bright color and body shape. While in schools like these rams may break into small conflicts with each other. If you enjoy exotic fish with unique personalities the Bolivian ram is an excellent choice. It is a popular aquarium fish, traded under the common names Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram, Bolivian ram cichlid, … I have had six rams in my 75g for over two years now and I can attest that they are wonderful community fish. Now, the female BR is super pissed off!! The tank has guppies, platies, 9 cories, but also 3 female bettas. The fish areal is quite wide and it includes North and North-East Bolivia as well as Brazilian state Mato Grosso.The fish dwells in river tributaries, backwaters and lakes with sandy and muddy bottom; usually it prefers shallow and slow waters with lots of snags and luxuriant vegetation. One gift certificate per household. The Bolivian Ram Cichlid will reach sexual maturity a4-6 months after they are born. They belong to the Cichlidae family which is they largest group of freshwater fish. Your email address will not be published. The Bolivian Ram, also called the Butterfly Ram and the Red Ram, is a social fish that will form pairs and often remains "faithful" to each other. Make sure you have enough tank space, hiding places, and food to satisfy all of your fish while breeding. The males have quite a colorful body, while the female is more drab. The Bolivian ram, also known as the Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram cichlid, and ruby crown cichlid is native to the waters of Bolivia and Brazil. They are also bottom feeders and will hover around the bottom of any tank when feeding. The Bolivian Ram is an omnivore, and will consume a wide variety of foods. The Bolivian Ram is a good tank mate. Non-living décor such as rocks and driftwood can also carry diseases and other dangers into your tank. Bolivian rams enjoy a dim environment with plenty of obstacles to swim through or hide under. Bolivian rams are river fish so sand is the best choice for them mixed with a small amount of gravel and stones. One female will only spawn on slate, regardless of the presence of other potential sites. Occasionally Bolivian rams will eat their first batch of eggs rather than let them hatch but by the second or third spawning, they will not eat their eggs. Also make sure to add stones, driftwood, artificial caves, and rocky shelters for your rams to hide in. With my Bolivians I have found the best way to sex them is there vents. They can recognize their master, form strong pairs, and have a pronounced parental instinct. Their bellies are primarily in yellow color that extends almost to their frontal portion. At FishSpark my top priority is to share actionable information for professional and hobbyist fishkeepers like myself. A female Bolivian ram can lay between 100-200 eggs by making multiple passes over their nest. Bolivian rams need a clean environment in order to thrive. She said it was a blue ram, but now that I've had him home and have had a chance to look at him closely, he kind of looks like a cross between a bolivian ram and a blue ram. Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. While most rams will only lay around 100 eggs at a time and not all of those eggs will hatch this can still lead to overcrowding and competition among fries. Sign up for Auto Delivery to Receive a $20 Gift Certificate. Bolivian rams are a small species of aquarium fish with oval-shaped bodies that measure on average around 3½ inches long. Much hardier. Bolivian rams primarily live near the bottom of tributaries, riverbanks, and lakebeds with sandy or muddy bottoms. Bolivian rams will often choose a rocky area or a dip in the sediment to lay their eggs. Dwarf Bolivian Rams are tranquil, omnivores that are ideal for any community tank. Bolivian Rams are golden brown in color with reddish highlights on the dorsal and caudal fins and pearly turquoise-blue highlights on the pelvic and anal fins. They often stay closer to 2.5 inches. Freeze-dried bloodworms and tubifex, flake food, and both frozen and live brine shrimp and worms will make excellent food for these fish. After about a week, my 2 are coloring up nicely. The most common is Ich, also known as white spot disease, a parasite that appears like small white dots across a fish’s body. Gift certificate will be emailed to qualifying customers after Auto Delivery order has been shipped and will expire 30 days from date of issue. They are some of my favorites! Love these bottom-huggers even more than their finicky cousins. T here were several of these wild Crown Ruby Bolivian Rams, living in a huge, say about 200-gallon, planted aquarium with deionized water, with frequent 10% to 15% partial water changes, temperature about 78-degrees F., and several Males have a distinct black spot in the middle of their body while females have two such spots. Bolivian rams do not need a large tank with 30 gallons being enough for one fish. Get along great with the other community fish. They can even be housed with Apistogramma and Angels. Its a little long, but at the very end there is a surprise. I put them in an empty 10 gallon temporarily until I found out more about them. Bolivian rams are a hardy species of cichlid but they are best kept in waters with a рН 6.0-7.5 and a hardness of 5 – 15 dGH.