Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus Altispinosus)

Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus Altispinosus)

Bolivian Rams are one of the best dwarf cichlids for hobbyists looking for a fish with personality, color, and a more peaceful temperament. They are active, curious, and full of character, making them an excellent centerpiece fish for planted community aquariums.

At Legacy Line Aquatics, these fish are bred and raised in-house by me in a small-scale, care-first setup. I do not source from mass-production fish farms. My focus is on raising healthy fish with clean water, proper nutrition, and attentive day-to-day care, so you receive fish I’d be confident keeping in my own fish room.

Why Hobbyists Love Bolivian Rams

• Peaceful dwarf cichlid with great personality

• Beautiful finnage and subtle but attractive coloration

• Excellent centerpiece fish for community aquariums

• More manageable temperament than many cichlids

• Fun, interactive behavior and active foraging

Temperament & Behavior

Bolivian Rams are peaceful to semi-peaceful dwarf cichlids. They are generally community-friendly, but can become more territorial during breeding behavior or when defending a chosen area.

They do best in tanks with:

• Sand or smooth substrate (they like to sift and forage)

• Plants and visual breaks

• Driftwood and rock structure

• Gentle flow

• Stable, clean water

Tank Size (Recommended)

• Single fish: 20 gallons minimum

• Pair: 29 gallons recommended

• Community setup: 30 gallons+ preferred

• Larger tanks provide better long-term space and reduce territorial stress

Water Temperature

• Ideal range: 76–80°F

• Sweet spot for many setups: around 78°F

• Stable water quality and temperature matter more than chasing exact numbers

Tank Mates (Good Choices)

Best tank mates are peaceful fish that won’t harass them or outcompete them constantly at feeding time.

Good tank mates may include:

• Corydoras

• Peaceful tetras (ember, cardinal, black neon, rummynose)

• Otocinclus (established tanks)

• Bristlenose plecos

• Other calm community fish with compatible temperament

Avoid:

• Aggressive cichlids

• Fin-nippers

• Very boisterous fish that stress them

• Large predatory fish

Feeding

Bolivian Rams thrive on a varied diet. A rotation of quality foods helps with color, body condition, and overall health.

Recommended foods:

• High-quality sinking pellets

• Frozen foods (brine shrimp, mysis, bloodworms as treats)

• Live foods (optional, but excellent for conditioning)

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

When you purchase from me, you’re getting fish that were bred and raised in-house, not mass-imported and flipped. I take a small-scale approach so I can focus on:

• Fish health

• Clean systems

• Proper feeding, mixture of high quality sinking pellets, live baby brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, frozen brine shrimp, and high quality flakes

• Parasite free

That matters—especially with dwarf cichlids.

Local Delivery 

• Delivery is available within an 80-mile maximum distance from Owensboro, Kentucky.
• $150 minimum order is required for delivery 
• $25 delivery fee applies 

Local Meet-Up 

• Local meet-up is available. 
• After order we will contact you by email, or through Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
• We will arrange a date, time, and public location to meet. 

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA policy before ordering.