Bolivian Ram

About

A rarely celebrated dwarf cichlid from South America, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus goes by several trade names including Bolivian butterfly, hi-fin ram, and ruby crown cichlid. It hails from the Guaporé and Mamoré river drainages spanning Bolivia and western Brazil, where it occupies the same broad Amazon basin territory as many other beloved South American cichlids. Compared to its more commonly kept relative the German blue ram, this species is noticeably larger, less iridescent, and generally considered a more forgiving option for hobbyists who are still building experience with dwarf cichlids. That said, it does demand clean, well-maintained water and does not compete well with pushy tankmates, so it is not a fish you can just drop into any community setup. It tends to come out of its shell when kept alongside peaceful schooling characids in the midwater, which seem to signal that the coast is clear. Corydoras and smaller plecos round out a compatible bottom crew nicely. Breeding follows classic cichlid form. Pairs bond and spawn on flat surfaces, then both partners guard the eggs and fry with real commitment. First-time pairs sometimes eat their spawn, but most figure it out with a little patience from the keeper.