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Bolivian Ram
Alternative Name(s):
Scientific Name(s): Mikrogeophagus altispinosa
Category: Cichlid
Difficulty: 
Maximum Size: 7cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 50 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 1.5x 1x1 ft approx
Water Temperature Range: 24-28°C
Water pH Range: 6.5-7.5
Water Hardness Range: 7-10 dGH
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| General Information: |
Small, relatively peaceful cichlid from Brazil, and Bolivia, in the upper madeira. Body yellow, faint iridescence, black stripe vertical through the eye,red edges to dorsal, caudal, pectoral and ventral fins. Usually peaceful enough that several specimens can be housed in larger aquaria, much less fragile than blue rams, but still requires good water quality, with no ammonia or nitrite, although nitrate above 20 ppm will be tolerated for short periods. |
| Tank Requirements: |
See Minimum Tank Volume and Minimum Tank Size above |
| Diet Requirements: |
Omnivore with preferences for frozen livefoods such as bloodworm, glassworm, blackworm and brineshrimp, Provide sinking foods like prima and cichlid pellets. Will take flake grudgingly. |
| Compatibility: |
Reasonable, territorial when breeding but usually calm, even shy. Is safe with most fish larger than endler guppies as long as there is territorial room. Intimidated by larger cichlids. |
| Recommendations: |
Compatible pairs, heavily planted aquaria, even blackwater conditions. Dont mix with speedy, large and boisterous fish. Low flow/high bacterial filtration levels are perfect.Carbon will help. |
| Common Problems: |
Gastrointestinal parasites and protozoa on import. Weakened by high ph, lack of attention to diet, low end temps cause immuno loss. Acclimation and suboordinate stress. |
| Similar Species: |
German blue ram (ramerezi) prettier but fragile, bolivian is a better choice for beginners. Many similar apistogramma, nearly all harder to keep alive and more territorial. |
| Sexing: |
Male slightly larger , longer trailing tips to caudal and dorsal fins.Sexing can be difficult in immature fish, or on fish housed with fin-nippers. |
| Breeding: |
Pair bonding,monogamous.Keep pairs together for life. Egg layer, rocks, large leaves, use fine gravel, fry raised in pits. Young eat artemia nauplii. |
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