[uNGu]™ Fish : Mikrogeophagus altispinosus - Bolivian Ram

Adult of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. Juvenile of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. Adult of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. Adult of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus. © Chor-Kiat Yeo © Hippocampus-Bildarchiv © Chor-Kiat Yeo © Mick Wright

Family Cichlidae. Subfamily: Geophaginae Distribution This species occurs in a handful of river systems in Bolivia and Brazil, including the Rio Guaporé and Rio Mamoré. Habitat Maximum Standard Length Males: 3.5", Females: 2.5" Minimum Tank Size 24"L x 12"W x 15"H (60cm x 30cm x 45cm) - 71 litres. Tank Setup Provide a fine substrate of sand or fine gravel as Altispinosa enjoy digging. Bolivian Rams tend to be relatively shy, though if they are provided adequate cover and light-dimming plants, they will thrive. Temperature 78-80°f (25 to 26°c) pH Range Bolivian Rams are fairly adaptable and can live between pH 6 and pH 8. Hardness Again, due to adaptability, anywhere from 3 to 12°dH. Diet Altispinosa will eat nearly anything offered, including flake. They will thrive on a good cichlid pellet as staple, but make sure their diet is varied with the offering of frozen and live foods, and some vegetative matter such as vegetable or spirulina flake. Compatibility A very peaceful Cichlid, though with more than a pair in the tank, there will be fights (and possibly liplocks) for dominance. Once one male has become the dominant male however, fights should be relatively few and far between. Sexual Dimorphism Not a great deal of difference, though males will be bigger and slightly skinnier. Breeding Keep one male with a few females. Male will chase females and eventually pick one to court. The courtship ritual may consist of reciprocal lateral displays and mouthing rocks in the courtship area. After a few days, courting pair will start to clean a surface - possibly removing sand from around a rock or bit of wood, or possibly cleaning a rockface. After this point, the pair will have bonded - the bond may last indefinitely. After the surface is prepared, a couple of days later the female's breeding tube will appear and a few hours later the pair will start to spawn. The female will lay a line of eggs then the male will quickly swim in and fertilise them. This will repeat for between half an hour and an hour, with upto 200 legs being laid. Female will tend the spawn whilst male guards the general area. Notes Bolivian Rams are fairly common in the trade. They are tough, attractive fish. Some believe them to be less attractive than the more common species of the Mikrogeophagus genus, Ramirezi (the Blue Ram). However, they are very attractive (albeit possibly in a different way) and they are genuinely fascinating fish to breed. Water quality is important but water parameters less so. If you are having difficult spawning the Bolivian Rams, try softening your water and lowering the pH to something on the acidic side of 7.