Bolivian ram care: tank size, temperature and tankmates

A hardier dwarf cichlid than the German blue ram, with gentle colors and a calm nature. Bolivian rams suit a community tank.

Quick facts

How to keep them

They like the middle temperatures, 72 to 79°F, and sand to sift. A pair will claim one corner.

Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.

Tankmates

Good tankmates

Neon tetra · Cardinal tetra · Ember tetra · Rummynose tetra · Harlequin rasbora · Zebra danio · Cherry barb · Platy · Guppy · Endler's livebearer · Molly · Swordtail · Honey gourami · Dwarf gourami · Pearl gourami · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Pygmy corydoras · Kuhli loach · Otocinclus · Bristlenose pleco · Amano shrimp · Nerite snail · Mystery snail · Glowlight tetra · Black neon tetra · Lemon tetra · Congo tetra · Chili rasbora · Lambchop rasbora · Gold barb · Dwarf neon rainbowfish · Sparkling gourami · Clown loach · Hillstream loach · Siamese algae eater · Ramshorn snail

Possible, with care

• Black skirt tetra: Fast, nippy fish stress slow, calm fish like these. Pick calmer tankmates if you can.
• Serpae tetra: Fast, nippy fish stress slow, calm fish like these. Pick calmer tankmates if you can.
• White cloud mountain minnow: They only share 72°F. A good heater and thermometer are a must.
• Tiger barb: Fast, nippy fish stress slow, calm fish like these. Pick calmer tankmates if you can.
• Betta (male): Both can be territorial. It can work in 20 gallons or more with plenty of plants and caves, but watch them closely.
• Angelfish: Both are cichlids and claim territory. Give them 40 gallons or more, with caves and plants to break up the view.
• Cherry shrimp: Bolivian rams eat baby cherry shrimp. Adults usually survive with plenty of moss to hide in.
• Rosy barb: Fast, nippy fish stress slow, calm fish like these. Pick calmer tankmates if you can.
• German blue ram: Only a narrow shared temperature range (78–79°F). A good heater and thermometer are a must. Both are cichlids and claim territory. Give them 40 gallons or more, with caves and plants to break up the view.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlid: Both are cichlids and claim territory. Give them 40 gallons or more, with caves and plants to break up the view.
• Kribensis: Both are cichlids and claim territory. Give them 40 gallons or more, with caves and plants to break up the view.
• Ghost shrimp: Dwarf cichlids hunt small shrimp. Ghost shrimp often end up as food.
• African dwarf frog: African dwarf frogs are slow, nearly blind eaters. Bigger or faster fish take their food, so feed the frogs with a baster or tongs.

Avoid

• Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
• Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.

Not sure about a mix? See the tankmate answers or the stocking ideas by tank size.

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