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Contents
Overview
The Bolivian ram is the larger, tougher cousin of the German blue ram. It lives in rivers and lagoons of the Mamoré and Guaporé basins on the Bolivia-Brazil border, in water that is cooler and more variable than its Venezuelan relative's.
It grows to about 3 inches (8 cm), with a golden body, bluish sheen, a black central spot, red-edged fins and dorsal filaments. It is not as flashy as a blue ram, but its colors are elegant and its behavior is fascinating: it sifts sand, explores and forms stable pairs. It is one of the best cichlids for beginners because it is peaceful toward other fish and far more forgiving about water.
Care and tank setup
A pair needs at least 26 gallons (100 L) and a tank about 30 inches (80 cm) long, with plenty of floor space. The key is fine sand: Bolivian rams spend all day taking mouthfuls of substrate and sifting it through their gills, and coarse gravel hurts their mouths.
- Water: soft to moderately hard, acidic to neutral, and above all clean and stable. It does not need the heat a blue ram does.
- Decor: driftwood, flat stones and plants along the sides, leaving open sand areas.
- Tank mates: mid-sized tetras, corydoras, loaches and pencilfish are good choices. It may eat dwarf shrimp.
It can live alone, in a pair or in a group if the tank is roomy; spawning pairs defend a territory, but without much aggression. Avoid large or aggressive cichlids. The most common mistakes are coarse gravel, too few hiding places and dirty water. As always: a cycled tank, filter and heater.
Feeding
It is an omnivore and not picky at all. Use sinking pellets as the staple and alternate with frozen or live food: brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia or mysis. It also accepts bottom-feeder wafers and some plant matter.
Because it eats by sifting sand, food must reach the bottom. Two small meals a day are enough.
Breeding
Pairs form naturally if you buy a small group of juveniles. They lay 100 to 300 eggs on a flat stone or in a pit in the sand, and both parents tend them devotedly.
Once the fry are swimming, the parents lead them around the tank and sometimes move them in their mouths from spot to spot. Feed the fry baby brine shrimp and finely powdered pellets.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Bolivian ram. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Cherry barb Puntius titteya 16 gal (60 L) · 73–81 °F (23–27 °C) 
Tiger barb Puntigrus tetrazona 26 gal (100 L) · 72–79 °F (22–26 °C) 
Betta fish Betta splendens 7 gal (25 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Zebra danio Danio rerio 16 gal (60 L) · 64–77 °F (18–25 °C) 
Guppy Poecilia reticulata 14 gal (54 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Platy Xiphophorus maculatus 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Harlequin rasbora Trigonostigma heteromorpha 16 gal (60 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Neon tetra Paracheirodon innesi 16 gal (60 L) · 68–79 °F (20–26 °C) 
Swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii 32 gal (120 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Bristlenose pleco Ancistrus sp. 26 gal (100 L) · 72–81 °F (22–27 °C) 
Nerite snail Neritina natalensis 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Horned nerite snail Clithon corona 5 gal (20 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Bolivian ram, and why.
- Discus: incompatible temperatures
- Oscar: one may eat the other due to size, incompatible temperaments
- Ember tetra: one may eat the other due to size
- Amano shrimp: eats shrimp
- Cherry shrimp: eats shrimp
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Bolivian ram healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Bolivian ram need?
At least about 100 liters for a group of at least 2 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Bolivian ram need?
Between 22 and 26 °C, with a pH of 6 to 7.5.
What fish can live with the Bolivian ram?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Cherry barb, Tiger barb, Betta fish, Zebra danio and Guppy. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Bolivian ram be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
