Tankwise

A peaceful, hardy dwarf cichlid — far more forgiving than the German blue ram.

  • Temperature24–28 °C
  • pH6–7.5
  • Minimum tank90 L
  • DifficultyBeginner
FoodCichlid pellet + frozen bloodworm
Feeding1–2 feeds a day
Water change25% weekly

Behaviour and habits

The Bolivian ram is a calm, sturdy dwarf cichlid — far more forgiving than the delicate German blue ram, and the best first dwarf cichlid for most keepers. It pairs up, sifts the substrate for food and patrols a small territory, turning territorial only when spawning. It is peaceful enough for a community and, given cover and calm tankmates, spends its day working the bottom in a relaxed, unhurried way.

What to feed, and how often

An omnivore that leans on protein: a cichlid granule plus frozen bloodworm, daphnia and mysis. Feed once or twice a day, and use sinking food, since it sifts the bottom; a varied diet keeps its colour and condition strong.

Water changes and maintenance

Change about 25% weekly in soft-to-neutral water. It is more tolerant of water than other dwarf cichlids, which is what makes it the best first one, but it still appreciates clean, stable conditions.

Care and how easy it is

Hardy among dwarf cichlids; keep it in a mature tank with cover and peaceful tankmates rather than a busy community.

Common health problems

Prone to internal parasites and fin rot under stress.

If it gets sick

Quarantine and deworm new stock, keep the water clean, and treat early in isolation if a fish goes thin or dark.

Good tank mates

GuppyBeginner with population planning
GuppyPoecilia reticulata
  • 22-26 C
  • pH 7.0-8.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Livebearers | Social; males pursue females | Omnivore
PlatyBeginner
PlatyXiphophorus maculatus
  • 20–26°C
  • pH 7–8.2
  • 50 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
MollyBeginner
MollyPoecilia sphenops
  • 22–28°C
  • pH 7–8.5
  • 70 L+
Livebearers · Peaceful · Omnivore
Neon tetraIntermediate; stable group aquarium
Neon tetraParacheirodon innesi
  • 21-25 C
  • pH 6.0-7.5
  • 60 L+; 60 x 30 cm base
Tetras & rasboras | Peaceful shoaler | Omnivore

Best avoided with

Similar species

AngelfishIntermediate; adult territory planning
AngelfishPterophyllum scalare
  • 24-28 C
  • pH 6.0-7.4
  • 200 L+ nominal; 100 x 40 x 50 cm; conditional pair-only plan
Cichlids | Territorial when pairing | Omnivore
Ram cichlidAdvanced
Ram cichlidMikrogeophagus ramirezi
  • 25–29°C
  • pH 5–7
  • 70 L+
Cichlids · Peaceful · Omnivore
KribensisIntermediate
KribensisPelvicachromis pulcher
  • 24–27°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 70 L+
Cichlids · Semi-aggressive · Omnivore
Cockatoo cichlidIntermediate
Cockatoo cichlidApistogramma cacatuoides
  • 24–28°C
  • pH 6–7.5
  • 60 L+
Cichlids · Semi-aggressive · Carnivore

Compare at a glance

ParametersBolivian ramAngelfishRam cichlidKribensis
Parameters
Temp24–28 °C24–28 °C25–29 °C24–27 °C
pH6–7.56–7.55–76–7.5
GH5–15 °dGH2–12 °dGH1–10 °dGH5–15 °dGH
Min. tank90 L100 L70 L70 L
Size8 cm15 cm6 cm8 cm
DietOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivoreOmnivore
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressivePeacefulSemi-aggressive
DifficultyBeginnerIntermediateAdvancedIntermediate

Care guides

GuideHow Often Should You Feed Fish?Overfeeding causes more aquarium problems than underfeeding. Here is a realistic feeding routine, and the signs that you are giving too much.GuideHow Often Should You Change Aquarium Water?Water changes remove waste that the filter cannot, and keep minerals topped up. There is no single number, but there is a simple way to find yours.GuideHow to Treat Ich (White Spot Disease)Ich looks alarming but is one of the most treatable fish diseases. Act early, raise the heat, and it clears within a week or two — here is how.

New to the words? See the aquarium glossary.

Sources and research notes

Parameters are typical ranges for the species in home aquariums and vary with the individual fish and the water you use.