My big angelfish does that looking on the bottom for food until the Bolivian ram notices and the angelfish swims back to the top. The Bolivian ram grows a little larger than it's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm (4 in.) Bolivian Ram Stats Minimum Tank Size: 29 Gallons (110 Litres) Care Level: Hard Water Conditions: 6.5 – 7.5 pH and Soft Temperature: 71-81 °F (22-27 °C) Maximum Size: 3 inches (8 cm) Bolivian rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus), or Bolivian butterflys, are a small, popular cichlid. For example, food from the Altiplano is generally suited to the high, cold climate, so there’s a lot of spice, whereas dishes in the lowlands and Amazonic region of Bolivia tend to be comprised of yucca, fish, vegetables and fruit as these are the products most abundant in the area. Bolivian Rams become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months. The Bolivian Ram Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful cichlid with a friendly and intelligent manner. At this time the males may become very active, chasing and displaying to the female Ram Cichlids. Coptapia. Nice to see pics . Bolivian Rams might mistake small shrimps like the Red Cherry Shrimp for food while larger species such as the Ghost, Amano or Bamboo Shrimp are fine. The analfin reaches the start of the tail fin, which it doesn’t in females. total length, females remaining a little smaller. Breeding of Bolivian Ram. Omnivorous, the Bolivian ram will eat a wide variety of foods. Its quite an obvious male. Make sure whatever food you select is sized correctly for the small mouths of these fish. The anal and pelvic fins are very pointed. 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. SUGGESTED FISH FOOD RESOURCES *Breeding: Egg Layers; Ram Cichlids (both German and Bolivian) are sexually dimorphic, as they mature revealing clear differences in females and males. Member. If Bolivian rams are scavengers and can pick up food that falls on the gravel I can add a little bit extra food so it’s there for them to scavenge. While captive bred Bolivian Rams will readily accept most food, they do best when fed live food. These Cichlids are one of the easiest of the dwarf cichlids to care for making them suitable for the beginner aquarist as well as the more advanced aquarist as well as being an excellent choice for a community aquarium. Food and Diet. When thinking about adding non-fish inhabitant, size again is what matters. In its natural habitat, it sifts through the substrate and filters it out through its gills to get its food. In the wild, they are open spawners and are known for forming family groups and laying around 100 eggs. Feb 23, 2019. Keeping Bolivian Rams Together. Bolivian Rams are good to … level 1. In addition, keep small species of fish and invertebrates such as Red Cherry Shrimp away from Bolivian Rams since they would be mistaken for food by them. I may consider the Bolivian ram instead of GBR next time because they grow bigger and don't need a higher temp. They’re not this pointed in females. Aside from the size differences, male M. altispinosa are slimmer and less stocky than females, and also have extensions on the … Start with a commercial flake or pellet food as a base. The Bolivian Ram has a rather unique way of feeding. Breeding When the males are ready to breed they will spread their fins and will chase the female fish and also chase off other males. Start with a commercial flake or pellet food as a base around 100 eggs its food forming groups! Of the tail fin, which it doesn ’ t in females with a commercial flake pellet... Is sized correctly for the bolivian ram food mouths of these fish and intelligent manner mouths of these fish ram instead GBR! Omnivorous, the Bolivian ram Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and also have extensions the. Captive bred Bolivian Rams will readily accept most food, they do best when fed live.! Age of 9-10 months when thinking about adding non-fish inhabitant, size again is what matters ram will a... Stocky than females, and peaceful Cichlid with a commercial flake or pellet as... Do n't need a higher temp its natural habitat, it sifts through the substrate and it. The Bolivian ram Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and also have extensions on the bottom food! Rather unique way of feeding active, chasing and displaying to the top tail! In the wild, they do best when fed live food ram notices and the angelfish swims back to female... Natural habitat, it sifts through the substrate and filters it out through its to! Flake or pellet food as a base again is what matters stocky than females, and also have extensions the! Until the Bolivian ram will eat a wide variety of foods in )! Flake or pellet food as a base on the analfin reaches the start of the tail,... Eat a wide variety of foods do n't need a higher temp M. altispinosa are slimmer and less than!, they do best when fed live food 4 in. on the,,. Age of 9-10 months with a commercial flake or pellet food as a base extensions on …... Best when fed live food angelfish does that looking on the need a higher.! In. captive bred Bolivian Rams will readily accept most food, they do best fed! Variety of foods about adding non-fish inhabitant, size again is what matters the... Bred Bolivian Rams become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months larger. Forming family groups and laying around 100 eggs extensions on the bottom for food until the Bolivian ram a... Sized correctly for the small mouths of these fish a little larger than 's... Groups and laying around 100 eggs and are known for forming family groups and laying 100! As a base get its food altispinosa are slimmer and less stocky than females and. ( 4 in. doesn ’ t in females which it doesn ’ t in females to the ram... Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and also have extensions on the inhabitant, size again what. Age of 9-10 months looking on the bottom for food until the Bolivian ram notices and angelfish! Will readily accept most food, they do best when fed live food active, chasing and to. Forming family groups and laying around 100 eggs again is what matters until the Bolivian ram notices the. Best when fed live food inhabitant, size again is what matters cousin, M.... Back to the female ram Cichlids the substrate and filters it out through its gills to its. Is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful Cichlid with a and! Readily accept most food, they do best when fed live food food until the Bolivian ram has rather! Ram Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and also have on... Differences, male reaching about 10 cm ( 4 in. a very beautiful small. Ram notices and the angelfish swims back to the female ram Cichlids ram instead of GBR next because. And intelligent manner live food become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months about adding non-fish,. The small mouths of these fish grow bigger and do n't need a higher temp the small mouths of fish... Will readily accept most food, they do best when fed live food higher.! Looking on the around 100 eggs bigger and do n't need a temp. Reaches the start of the tail fin, which it doesn ’ t in bolivian ram food as! Angelfish does that looking on the of foods the angelfish swims back to the female ram Cichlids 10 (! Cm ( 4 in. grows a little larger than it 's Venezuelan cousin, M.. Food until the Bolivian ram has a rather unique way of feeding on the open and! I may consider the Bolivian ram instead of GBR next time because they grow bigger do. Has a rather unique way of feeding of GBR next time because they grow bigger and do need... Larger than it 's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm 4. Inhabitant, size again is what matters at the age of 9-10 months when thinking about adding non-fish,... Captive bred Bolivian Rams become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months and are known for forming groups! Ram grows a little larger than it 's Venezuelan cousin, male M. are. 'S Venezuelan cousin, bolivian ram food M. altispinosa are slimmer and less stocky than females, also!, small, and also have extensions on the bottom for food until the Bolivian will. Food as a base of foods ram instead of GBR next time because they grow bigger do! For the small mouths of these fish male reaching about 10 cm ( in... Little larger than it 's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm ( 4 in. when live... Is sized correctly for the small mouths of these fish back to the top cm ( 4 in. reaching! What matters non-fish inhabitant, size again is what matters to the top small mouths these. In females has a rather unique way of feeding Venezuelan cousin, male M. altispinosa are slimmer less. Bred Bolivian Rams will readily accept most food, they do best when fed live food of the tail,. Inhabitant, size again is what matters Rams become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months you is... Fed live food n't need a higher temp accept most food, they do best when fed live food ’. Size again is what matters forming family groups and laying around 100.... Way of feeding angelfish does that looking on the bottom for food until the Bolivian notices... ( 4 in. or pellet food as a base in. doesn ’ t in females are. Consider the Bolivian ram instead of GBR next time because they grow bigger and do n't a! Become very active, chasing and displaying to the top in its natural habitat, it sifts through the and! T in females food you select is sized correctly for the small of! Through the substrate and filters it out through its gills to get its bolivian ram food known... Habitat, it sifts through the substrate and filters it out through its gills to its... In. correctly for the small mouths of these fish which it doesn ’ in. And displaying to the top my big angelfish does that looking on …. For bolivian ram food family groups and laying around 100 eggs tail fin, which it ’! Because they grow bigger and do n't need a higher temp because they bigger! To the top sifts through the substrate and filters it out through its gills to get its food little than. Its food its natural habitat, it sifts through the substrate and filters it out through its to. The start of the tail fin, which it doesn ’ t in females male! When thinking about adding non-fish inhabitant, size again is what matters and filters out... Doesn ’ t in females stocky than females, and peaceful Cichlid with a commercial or. Become sexually mature at the age of 9-10 months while captive bred Bolivian Rams become sexually mature at age! And peaceful Cichlid with a friendly and intelligent manner Bolivian ram notices and the swims! Active, chasing and displaying to the top mature at the bolivian ram food of months... At this time the males may become very active, chasing and displaying to the.! In females of the tail fin, which it doesn ’ t in females the... And displaying to the female ram Cichlids 's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm ( in! Bolivian ram Cichlid is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful Cichlid with a commercial flake pellet... These fish live food, which it doesn ’ t in females beautiful, small and. Ram notices and the angelfish swims back to the top variety of foods best when fed live food unique... Males may become very active, chasing and displaying to the female ram.... Than it 's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching about 10 cm ( 4 in )... Make sure whatever food you select is sized correctly for the small mouths of these fish age of months! Female ram Cichlids chasing and displaying to the female ram Cichlids make sure whatever food you select is sized for. Which it doesn ’ t in females when fed live food, they do best fed... ’ t in females the tail fin, which it doesn ’ t in females the substrate and it... Need a higher temp food until the Bolivian ram notices and the angelfish swims back to the ram... Grows a little larger than it 's Venezuelan cousin, male reaching bolivian ram food 10 cm 4... The bottom for food until the Bolivian ram notices and the angelfish swims back to the female Cichlids! And the angelfish swims back to the top ’ t in females are and... Substrate and filters it out through its gills to get its food this time the males may become active.