answer #2. debcc. Alternatively, you can chop up earthworms and feed those to your fish. Being a peaceful fish, the Bolivian Ram makes a wonderful addition to the community tank, is compatible with other peaceful fish. However, I suspect the three clown loaches in the same tank are eating their eggs. Bolivian rams are river fish so sand is the best choice for them mixed with a small amount of gravel and stones. Good plants to include in a Bolivian ram tank are the Java Fern, Amazon Sword, Vallisneria, Anubias Nana, and Wisteria. It is important to keep the diet of your Bolivian ram varied so it will get all the nutrition it needs and stay healthy. My Bolivians always spawn late in the evening, without exception. The males have quite a colorful body, while the female is more drab. Lifespan. The Bolivian ram, also known as the Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram cichlid, and ruby crown cichlid is native to the waters of Bolivia and Brazil. The male will switch between guarding the nest while the female lays eggs and fertilizing the eggs while she rests and keeps watch. To help in warding off dangerous rams have spines in their fins which can catch in the mouths and throats of predators to prevent the ram from being swallowed. Occasionally Bolivian rams will eat their first batch of eggs rather than let them hatch but by the second or third spawning, they will not eat their eggs. Bolivian rams are a social species and live best in schools of 4-8 individuals. The body of a Bolivian Ram ranges from dull brown to greyish blue. Males can be identified by their larger size and brighter colors while females are smaller and duller. The male will switch between guarding the nest while the female lays eggs and fertilizing the eggs while she rests and keeps watch. The Bolivian Ram also requires a few caves in which to hide in and stones to spawn on. They are generally shy and will prefer to avoid other fish by hiding around the tank in caves and under decorations. However, when guarding their young, they can be agressive as most cichlids are. The Bolivian Ram is an omnivore, and will consume a wide variety of foods. They normally choose a flat rock or a depression in the substrate to lay their eggs. There are several variations of this Cichlid for sale in this online store. Rams are a generally peaceful species of fish that rely on avoiding predators by hiding in order to survive. The water in your tank should also be moving slowly so consider a slow wave or bubble maker for your tank. They can recognize their master, form strong pairs, and have a pronounced parental instinct. It is a popular aquarium fish, traded under the common names Bolivian butterfly, Bolivian ram, Bolivian ram cichlid, … Males of the species tend to be larger measuring up to 6 inches long while females can be as small as 2 inches long. On the other hand, female specimens usually don’t reach 3 inches at all. FREE SHIPPING on qualifying aquarium supplies orders $29 and up. A female will have a much larger "fat" vent. Pellets are a good choice when feeding Bolivian rams because they will sink to the bottom of the tank where they feed. After about a week, my 2 are coloring up nicely. At FishSpark my top priority is to share actionable information for professional and hobbyist fishkeepers like myself. *Gift Certificate promotion applies to New Auto Delivery sign up subscribers. They will surface for food but consider foods that sink when feeding your Bolivian ram. The water in your Bolivian ram tank should be filtered regularly with weekly water renewals replaced between 10-15% of the tank water. Consistent with the Venezuelan ram, these fish are biparental, open substrate spawners, quite opposite from the polygynous, cave .spawning Apistogramma. The male Bolivian Ram ate all the fry. Bolivian rams also need a good base of substrates which are objects used to fill the bottom of fish tanks. Fishes bring immense joy to me. Watch out for their spines when trying to handle a Bolivian ram. For the best results pair Bolivian rams with fish that swim in higher levels of the tank and will not compete with your rams for hiding spaces. I have three in my 90 gallon planted tank and they are doing great. Bolivian rams will often choose a rocky area or a dip in the sediment to lay their eggs. Males have a distinct black spot in the middle of their body while females have two such spots. Bolivian rams are a hardy species of cichlid but they are best kept in waters with a рН 6.0-7.5 and a hardness of 5 – 15 dGH. I have two. Non-living décor such as rocks and driftwood can also carry diseases and other dangers into your tank. A Bolivian Ram is a dwarf cichlid that does not grow more than 8 cm in length. 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. Small fish like neon tetras may be mistaken for food or bullied by the larger Bolivian ram. Keep your tank in a low light area or use floating plants to block out some of the surrounding light. A well cared for Bolivian ram will live for around four years, though there are instances of them living slightly longer. One female will only spawn on slate, regardless of the presence of other potential sites. This condition can be treated by raising the water level to 86 degrees or with over-the-counter medications. $19.99 shipping. Cichlids have a well-earned reputation as aggressive fish who will bully or even attack their tank mates. Bolivian rams are the exception to this rule and are a generally peaceful species that get along well with other fish. A female Bolivian ram can lay between 100-200 eggs by making multiple passes over their nest. Bolivian rams enjoy a dim environment with plenty of obstacles to swim through or hide under. I love these fish. The sheer number of fries created in one spawning can also be a problem. or Best Offer. Required fields are marked *. 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. I am the editor here at FishSpark.com. Sometimes black spots show up on other parts of their bodies such as their fins. The female's vent is short and blunt, the male's is long and pointy. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They also breed like crazy. 5 years ago. Above: In the picture, a young mature premium quality Crown Ruby Bolivian Ram Cichlid is swimming in one of our aquariums, when one of us snapped this picture . Throughout the entire breeding process, you need to be careful about the ram’s environment as well as other fish. They are not a very active species and are known for a quirky method of swimming where they will only swim a few strokes before stopping. I have had six rams in my 75g for over two years now and I can attest that they are wonderful community fish. You might be picturing one in…, Your email address will not be published. I bought 2 Bolivian Rams yesterday. The Bolivian Ram is an egg layer that prefers soft to medium hardness, neutral pH and slightly raised water temperatures (77-82°F). They can even be housed with Apistogramma and Angels. Bolivian rams are fiercely protective parents and will attack any fish that gets too close to their eggs, even their own fries from a previous spawning. Make sure you have enough space for your rams as well as enough hiding spaces and food for them to use. I have a 20 gallon long tank One Bush head Pleco One blue Gourami (3spot) One rainbow shark. Maximum Size: In aquariums, Rams can grow to be about 2.5" long. The Bolivian Ram is a good tank mate. With my Bolivians I have found the best way to sex them is there vents. $19.00. A living matter like live food and plants can carry bacteria or fungus that is dangerous to your fish. They often stay closer to 2.5 inches. To protect against infections and parasites make sure that you check and disinfect everything that you put in your tank. Despite its modest size, Bolivian Rams are fish with high intelligence. They are a tropical freshwater fish so keep the water between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit and do not use saltwater. She said it was a blue ram, but now that I've had him home and have had a chance to look at him closely, he kind of looks like a cross between a bolivian ram and a blue ram. It does very well and is easy to care for. I would like to put them in my 37 gallon community tank and have them sort of the center piece fish. They require a well-planted tank, but their upkeep is easy, even for beginner fish owners! Hi, I am Madison. Bolivian Rams are golden brown in color with reddish highlights on the dorsal and caudal fins and pearly turquoise-blue highlights on the pelvic and anal fins. Apistogramma Cacatuoides Triple Red Juvenile - 1/2" to 1" $15.00 to $50.00. $20.00 shipping. This behavior helps them filter feed without churning up the sediment at the bottom of the tank too much. Adult males tend to grow larger and are slimmer than females, possess a slightly more pointed dorsal fin and have extended filaments on their tail fin as well as being more intensely-coloured than the females. A Pair of German Blue Ram Cichlid (a Male & a Female) $50.00. They will eat just about anything while having massive appetites and can handle sharp shifts in temperature but need proper shade and space. Hundreds of articles to help you with your aquarium. A female Bolivian ram can lay between 100-200 eggs by making multiple passes over their nest. They are some of my favorites! They aren't as brightly colored as the german rams, but I think they are easier to care for. Care should be taken so that the fry are not sucked into the filter. As long as you keep the tank in the right conditions since rams have specific environmental needs. Frozen foods such as bring shrimp, blood worms and white worms are also a good choice. On the other hand, the ram is not large or aggressive enough to protect itself from more dangerous fish like other cichlids. Now, the female BR is super pissed off!! A black 'spot' is in the center of the body and a black line runs from the top of the eye to the bottom of the head. Bolivian rams are also known to swallow other small fish off riverbeds as well as fallen plants and insects off the surface of the water. Bolivian rams will generally live between 4-6 years if properly taken care of. I have seen a bit of variation among females though, so I use that as a secondary characteristic for sexing. Bolivian rams are not completely harmless, however, and you should be careful when picking tank mates for them. Needless to say the rams will soon have a tank of their own. Expect your fish to grow to about 3 inches in length (7.6 cm). 18 watching. Bolivian rams have distinctive black spots on their sides as well as black stripes over their eyes. They will both swim over the same area, and then the male will start to guard. Sexing the Bolivian Ram Cichlid. Their spines are often orange or white while their fins are translucent. In the wild Bolivian rams are bottom feeders that eat by filtering the water they swim through for food. While in schools like these rams may break into small conflicts with each other. Make sure you have enough tank space, hiding places, and food to satisfy all of your fish while breeding. They live in the Rio Madeira, Mamoré, and Guaporé river basins which pass through northern Bolivia and parts of Brazil. If your fish are well fed but are not getting the nutrients they need this can also lead to health issues. Bolivian rams are smaller than other cichlids. The Bolivian Ram is a very beautiful, small, and peaceful cichlid, also called the Butterfly Ram and the Red Ram, is a social fish that will form pairs There are no reviews for this product. They will do this by taking the fries in their mouths and carrying them across the tank. The female will lay up to 200 eggs on stones and occasionally, in depressions. Your email address will not be published. Bolivian Rams are Cichlids and unlike their closely related cousins (such as the Green Terror Cichlid) they are peaceful. The female's belly slopes up from the breeding tube to the anal fin. Very active and hardy. If rams have to compete for space and resources they will violently attack each other. Crenicara altispinosa Haseman, 1911; Microgeophagus altispinosus (Haseman, 1911); Papiliochromis altispinosus(Haseman, 1911) Males can have longer dorsal fins. The rams have spawned three times and by day two the eggs have disappeared. The fish areal is quite wide and it includes North and North-East Bolivia as well as Brazilian state Mato Grosso.The fish dwells in river tributaries, backwaters and lakes with sandy and muddy bottom; usually it prefers shallow and slow waters with lots of snags and luxuriant vegetation. Bolivian rams stay relatively small in captivity, and grow to a maximum of 3 inches (8 cm) with the males growing slightly larger than the females. The female will lay some eggs, the male will come and fertilize them, and then go back to guarding them. I got 2 of these for my 75 gallon planted community tank. Bolivian rams have spiny fins with pointed tips designed to help ward off predators. Also make sure to add stones, driftwood, artificial caves, and rocky shelters for your rams to hide in. In the wild Bolivian rams are bottom feeders and so will spend most of their time at the bottom of any tank or aquarium. Males can grow a little larger, up to 3.5 inches (9 cm). Both the male and female share the rearing of the fry, and it has been reported that they will take them into their mouths to protect them like a mouth brooder. Bolivian Ram Cichlid - REGULAR live freshwater aquarium fish . The front and sides of their fins are soft so they can move their fins and swim. Overfeeding or underfeeding a fish can result in numerous health problems. This exotic fish is native to the river basins of Bolivia and Brazil but can now be found in tanks and aquariums worldwide. Fishes bring immense joy to me. The Bolivian Ram is an egg layer that prefers soft to medium hardness, neutral pH and slightly raised water temperatures (77-82°F). gouramis plecos rainbows rams sharks. total length, females remaining a little smaller. You may have real fights among your Bolivian rams, however, if they have to compete with each other for resources. I LOVE this fish! She is peaceful and has an interesting bright color and body shape. Bolivian rams do not need a large tank with 30 gallons being enough for one fish. Dwarf Bolivian Rams are tranquil, omnivores that are ideal for any community tank. The Bolivian ram is difficult to care for but beautiful addition to any fish tank. I just inherited a fish from a friend who needs to tear down some of her tanks. Keeping Bolivian rams can be difficult for beginners but their distinctive markings and their funny swimming technique give this fish a lot for tank keepers to love. Female Bolivian rams are slightly smaller than the males. 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