Bolivian Ram Care and Breeding
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Hello Fellow Fish Keepers!
In this video we look at how to care for Bolivian Rams (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus). They are a relatively small South American Cichlid that are great for smaller set-ups.
Looking for cichlids that can go in a small tank? Check this video out:
• Great Cichlids for Sma...
Want to see some tank mate options for Bolivian Rams? Check out these species profiles:
Severum Care: • Severum Cichlid Care a...
Rhinogobius henchuenensis: • Rhinogobius henchuenen...
Peacock Gudgeon Care: • Peacock Gudgeon Breedi...
Bristlenose Care: • Bristlenose Pleco Care...
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Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimea...
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Thanks for watching!
Looking for cichlids that can go in a small tank? Check this video out:
ruclips.net/video/pK5GqBIsepE/видео.html
Want to see some tank mate options for Bolivian Rams? Check out these species profiles:
Severum Care: ruclips.net/video/xnUJKMhr_nU/видео.html
Rhinogobius henchuenensis: ruclips.net/video/4jnPLvunSwY/видео.html
Peacock Gudgeon Care: ruclips.net/video/0x9n-3HkgDU/видео.html
Bristlenose Care: ruclips.net/video/RRt_tjOKY84/видео.html
If you want to see more behind the scenes stuff, exclusive videos and support the channel consider becoming a member! ruclips.net/channel/UCYVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
Just dont leave this guys with three dot gouramis mine killed the ram so as a result i chucked him out the window
Hi! I have neon tetras, pygmy Cory's and a hillstream loach. I was hoping to add a pair of bolivian rams- do you get a male and female pair? I am not trying to breed them. Or are they okay alone if I were to get one?
The snail was riding a snail 😂
Lazy snail. Haha
This actually happens A LOT! Matter of fact, many times I have received free snails this way... Get home with my snails and see a baby snail in with them, lol. At first I didn't realize how it was happening until I saw a baby snail on the bigger snail I was buying. So cute.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Actually they're not being lazy, they're cleaning the other snail's shell! I can appreciate it bc I hate it when my snail's shells get algae.
It’s called Uber
Here 6years later, and Jason is still giving great info!
Just put 4 of these little guys in my community tank and I swear they're more peaceful than some of the male mollies I've owned.
How are they doing ? And how many males/females?
They are awesome fish got one in my community tank with gups female betta some tetras, great looking fish mate
I’ve had loads of tropical and marine tanks. The Bolivian ram is still my favourite of all fish. Easily the most interesting to watch if you have a good sized group.
They are very personable!
That was perfect for my morning inspiration. Moving my pair into a ten. As a breeder with a large business, it's been to hard having any mixed species tanks. Needed a refresher to get them into the new tank this morning. Later today I'll be dividing my Peacocks and Mbunas into separate 30 gal breeder setups. Great quality video. Thanks for the morning cup of Cichlids 😎😂☕🐠🐡🐟
That's awesome. I keep telling myself I need to start breaking up some of my mbunas and peacocks into breeding pairs/groups - I just need to get it done! Thanks for watching
Well that's it then I'm going to go ahead and do a video just like yours I'm going to do a species profile and how to tank setup so hopefully maybe that will give you the same inspiration you gave me
My favorite fish. Lots of personality. I have a homicidal Angel fish, and even it thinks the Bolivian Ram is cool. I have one in a 39g with a large Angel, Bristle nose, bunch of Assassin Snails and a team of Zebra Danios. The Danios were a problem at first because those savages would not let anything sink to the bottom. So I mixed up the food so that it would sink at different speeds. That way while the Danios were busy at the top, other foods would make it to the bottom. Great video!
This clinches it, this will be my centerpiece fish for my 65 gallon community tank. I mostly keep small tetras like embers and neons, along with green fire tetras and 5 cochus blue tetras, so a large fish is out since it could eat moat of them. My water is fairly soft and my ph is about 6.8. My tank is seasoned, has great filtration and fully planted from side to side and even has a good amount of water lettuce on top. Against my black background and black sand, and all the plants, it should look amazing.
Maybe add a dwarf gourami with the bolivian. A single ram as a center piece in a 65 gallon won't look too impressive.
They are one of my favourite fish at the moment. My pair have just spawned for the first time in a community tank. I was not even thinking of breeding them, but as I like them so much, I have now transferred them to a smaller tank with only a male Beta and a pregnant platy. I have also just bought a few electric blue Rams, which I am looking forward to see grow up in the community tank.
The Betta will get rekt by the rams lol
Thank you, this video is just what I needed. I was planning to pick up this fish later today but wanted to do just a little more research to make sure they would be compatible with my setup and community. This video was very in depth in a short amount of time.
Came here from your recent rams vs. apistos video. Considering adding some Bolivian rams to my 40 gallon community in the future.
Nice vibrant colors. I find Epsom salt to be a good remedy for the pop-eye one . After trying to hold several Bolivians in a 40 gallon tank, I have realized that the rams on the bottom of the hierarchy tend not to handle the stress of dominancy over time. They'll start to waste away from the bottom up of the pecking order, by becoming emaciated and eventually dying.
Good point!
Great fish, and so much easier to keep than ramirezi. According to Horst and Staeck, they were found in a PH of 7.6 in Bolivia, so obviously they are very adaptable in water conditions. Thanks for sharing
Great info - I read that as well. I agree - so much easier for me to keep Bolivian Rams compared to German Blues.
I love my 2 year old Bolivian ram so much! I have him (not sure what sex) with two black skirted tetras and they are great together! He is always up at the glass to see me! Best fish I’ve ever owned
That's a nice combo! I love the way they look at you when it's time to eat with their fins going all crazy. : -)
Care guide 1:water 100x more basic then fish prefer
2:water hardness 10 times too hard
3:keep water cool
Goes to show most of these fish have been bred in hatcheries all in the same water no matter what the preference for the fish.
The important thing is always a stable environment!
What about keeping this fish at the low end of brackish?
I just got my first pair, I’m so excited!
I am going through your channel and keep finding great videos and information
I have been interested in keeping Bolivian Rams
Thank you for watching! I think you will enjoy them
I have mine with firemouth cichlids no problems at all
I just got 2.👍🏻I have 4 German Blue Rams with my Angel Fish, all are doing well.
I just saw Bolivian Rams at my LFS and planning on getting few. I'm so glad I found your video, it's been very informative. Great video 👌
Hope you enjoy them!
Thanks so much for the very informative video. Lots of good tips. I just got a pair at my club auction and have never tried Bolivian Rams so I really appreciate the info!
Very cool! Enjoy them.😃
Hi Jason, my rams are in the process of protecting their eggs after I got home from work, and now Im panic watching. This video helped out a lot, thank you
Watched recently, got a new 55 that i plan on stocking with these rams
Thank you for making this video
The rams are beautiful fish. I hope you have great success with them breeding. I'm still wanting the peacock gudgeon. Tho.😉 💚🐠💚
Thanks! I don't blame you - peacock gudgeons are some of my favorites!
My rams laid eggs a couple days ago. Took me by surprise! I'm not sure if they're eating the eggs or if they're moving the wrigglers.
I’m going to get a few of those Rams for my Discus tank.
I don't generally keep discus, but I know people who have successfully kept German Blues with them.
Did you end up trying Bolivian rams with your discus?
This type of Ram looks great. I like those very much. And amazing footage you've got there! Very informing, new sub here ;)
Thank you! Appreciate you watching
I have a planted community tank and just added 2 more Bolivian Rams today; I already had two. I love all Rams.
They are such cool fish!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Do you have any opinions on apistos or nanacarras?
Oops, I just saw the comment below about another video. I'll go and check it out.
Great informative video thanks for sharing 👍😉
Thank you!
Thanks Jason.
Just picked one up for a center piece fish in a 20 long!
My BR is named Snowball and I love him with all my heart. He is the best fish I have ever had. I also have him in with a GBR and a golden but he is still the best simply because of his puppy dog personality. I want him to have the very best in life, is there anything I can do that would make his life more fun and enjoyable other than giving him the best environment?
I think you are off to a good start! Just watch him with the other Rams - hopefully they continue to leave each other alone. They love to hang out by plants and rocks. : -)
Prime Time Aquatics they have been together for a few months and the three all get along pretty well! Snowball usually stays to himself while the other 2 hang out together. They are so wonderful to watch.
Yep, should have got a 20Long and 4-5 Bolivian Rams. I got 1 first to try in my 20 high, seemed great so I got 1 more cpl days later...well that didn't go well...the what appears to be male Ram (point on under belly by anal fin) continuously charged the smaller Ram, that appears to be female (no point on the under belly by anal fin) not allowing it to reach substrate or plants. So I put the smaller Ram in with 6 Black Neons, in a 10 gallon temp. To my surprise they actually did well🙂, and were schooling together.
Couple days ago, the larger Ram still in 20 High began charging EVERYTHING in tank lol. So I did a switcheroo and put the calmer Ram and Black neons in the 20 High, and temporarily put the larger Ram in the 10 gallon with 2 Tiger Barbs (they began fin nipping the black neons).
Obviously just a temp solution until next tank upgrade, but the small Ram still schools with the Black Neons, lol it's really neat to watch.
Thanks again for the species highlight 👍
Ah yes, the process of moving stuff around until the mix works. : -) At least you have the ability to do that!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yes, definitely helps ! Now just a bit of a wait until I can put together a bigger/planted tank...🤔 maybe that will 'cool' things off between these 2 Rams lol
Awesome vid, helped with my next fish decision! Ty!
Awesome! Hope you enjoy them!
Prime Time Aquatics Really looking forward to em! :)
I bought a bolivian ram a while ago from petsmart and it just stood there all day barley moved never ate and my gold and german rams were perfectly fine in my 60 and I wouldve bought more bolivians but they only had the 1 then it died 2 weeks later I get the last one yet again and it's doing the same thing it just sits there all day hardly moves and I've never seen him eat and all my other fish are fine I have no idea what's wrong my parameters and temps are normal
🤟💛😎 just here doing research
Thanks for the great video. We are setting up a 55 gallon tank. Plan on using sand, amazon swords, anubis, drift wood, heater set around 76, canister and hang on the back filters. Also have some fake plants for the time being until other ones grow out. Looking into what other plants I could get away with. Might also build some hideouts using broken up ceramic or slate tile. The question I have is stocking. I feel I have a grasp on what I'd like to do but would love input. Here's what I am thinking. 2-4 Bolivian rams, 4-6 panda cory and 12-15 cardinal tetra.
That will be a nice mix and should work great in that size tank. You may want to increase the temp to 79-80 degrees F for the cardinals, the other fish will handle that just fine. If you haven't already bought the filtration, you could probably get away with one or the other. Probably won't need both, unless you are just looking for redundancy if one breaks, which isn't a bad thing. : -)
Unfortunately never seen these fish in a store and cant get live fish delivered to my country so unlikely to be able to get a pair. They are gorgeous though.
I have mine (I only have one) in a 10 gallon tank and he (not sure the sex) seems to be doing just fine. I've only had him since Oct. 22nd. He has rocks in his tank and some (fake) plants, and plenty of hiding places. I am having a hard time getting him to eat, though... I've had an Oscar before that got to be about 7" and many other kinds of fish, but I've never had a cichlid (besides the Oscar) before this one. My boyfriend and I are gonna upgrade him to a 29 gallon after I move next month
Just an fyi, the video you linked to is for Bolivian rams which might be confusing for new hobbiests.
If it’s from the short that’s what I suggested if they can’t keep German blues or electric blues?
3:48 and 4:25 ... this fish has a pop-eye
I noticed that as well and started treating when I saw it on video!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Your snail shells could use some calcium too. ;) I use small pieces of cuttle bone and the snails love to munch on it.. and so do my cories and Plecos!! :)
Can I have one of these in a 29 gallon tank that already has 8 zebra danios? I plan to add some corys later as well.
How many should go in a 40 g I wanna put some Cory’s in there too maybe a bristlenose
You might be able to get away with two pairs, but one pair might be a good place to start.
They do good with corys and bristlenose I’ve had mine with no problems
your rams are beautiful
Thank you! They’re pretty easy to keep as far as Rams go too😀
i have 2 bolivian rams the 2 are a proven pair they are housed in a 38 gallon bow front aquarium mine laid eggs
Great vid dude👍it’s quite a handsome fish
Thank you. Easy to care for too!
I like them
Can they go along with mystery snails u think ?
I don’t trust cichlids around inverts.
Thank you for the video! Very informative! I have 3 Golden, 2 Electric and 3 Blue German Rams... not sure of the sex, but they keep picking at each other... I also have 2 angel fish (125 gallon ). I have plenty of plants and drift wood... any ideas to stop them from arguing?
That is common. The more structure and plants you have the less they will fight (usually). However, sometimes it's just a constant battle.
What is it like managing two RUclips channels? (This one and kg tropicals. You can’t fool me! You guys are the same person!!!)
Too funny 😀
@@PrimeTimeAquatics we don’t need laughs we need answers!
So I finally took the plunge and got two Rams today, they're two Balloon Golden Rams. However not sure about tank mates, not many videos mentioning this. They are in a 20 long, thinking about one Bristlenose Pleco and maybe 2 guppies.
That could work. :-) Good luck with them.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Great and thanks :)
I think I found an exception. I bought a full grown female Bolivian Ram and she has been peaceful and not bothering the other fish, guppies, mollies, otocinclus and honey gouramis. I then bought three juvenile Bolivian Rams and she immeidately started chasing all of them around continually throughout the day. I took out the four gouramis and separated her out to another 20 gallon high and she was fine. Then the three juveniles started to single one of theirs out so i took them out and put them in with the the full grown one because the bullied one would not come out to eat at all. Any suggestions? I think the black mollies having too many fry might be part of the cause but I am going to give them to my local fish store with the fry soon. I'm hoping this will help.
Can they live as a 1 of in a community tank?
Sure - I have done that without any issues.
I think I might as well try them out in my 20 gallon
They are great fish!
I had agression problems with my Bolivian Rams, they actually chased away my kuhlii loaches and other fish from their areas. I moved them to another tank and was adviced to feed small amount of food three times per day (I previously only fed once) and that seems to have calmed them down.
Glad to hear that solved your issues!
Just a question, do you need to have a pair or can you have just a single one in a community tank?
One is probably better for a community tank.
I have mine with angelfish and no problems yet
Cool!
I am having trouble sexing my two bolivian rams, are you able to help if I posted nice clear photos of them?
Big fan of your channel. I just picked up five Bolivian Rams. What vegetables do they like? Do they need to be prepared in a specific manner? Thank you for your help
I actually don’t feed my fish vegetables- we primarily feed Northfin flakes and pellets.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics ok. I will do the same. thank you 😊
My Bolivian Rams laid eggs again
Sweet!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics and i keep my tank at 80 with the inkbird 308 wifi temperature controller that control's the eheim jager 125 watt
Hey I love the channel! It's very informative. I currently have a planted 40 breeder with a bolivian ram and I was wondering if it's possible to add a male apisto to the mix? And for the bolivian rams and apistogramma, should they be kept singly, in pairs, or in groups of their own species? I've looked a lot online to answer this question and opinions seem very mixed with some people saying they're social and need a pair/group and others saying you'll have aggression issues with a pair/group
The issue you will have if you add multiples is if they start breeding. That will make it harder on the other fish.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics That makes sense. I'll have a backup plan/tank if it doesn't work out. Thank you!
i want to keep one male with corys and a bosemani couple in a 20 gal tank will it be ok ?
Should be ok!
Hi there, do you think these would be suitable with Zebra Danio's. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks. I have 20 Gallon tank with 8 Danio currently.
That could probably work.
are the bolivian rams good with gravel substrate
Mine did fine. Sand is preferred though.
I have a 55 gallon with 4 angels, can i add some bolivians to my tank?
I have a 10 gallon. Can you keep just one male or do you have to have a female?
You can keep them on their own.
Do you think a single ram would be okay with a group of peacock gudgeons in a 40 planted tank?
I have done that mix in the past in a 37 gallon without any issues.
Couple questions. Could I keep German rams with small kribensis in a 40 breeder or 55 gallon? Do you recommend purchasing RO water for the rams? (If I were to have the rams in their own tank)
Happy mother's day to the Mrs! Have a great day guys and thank you so much for your helpful videos. ❤
Hey! The combo might work in either tank. It's hard to say for sure because sometimes cichlids of the same size will chase each other more. The RO water depends on your tap water. I have never had good luck with German Blues, but my tap is 8.2 pH and around 170-200ppm GH and KH. If yours is lower you might be ok?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Nah, we're in Omaha so our Tds is on the higher side. Really really want to make these work, I love them. That's why I was thinking I'd just get 10 gallons of RO from the lfs whenever we need a water change...?
What kind of snails are those?
Ramshorn mostly
Can they be kept singly?
Absolutely!
Will they eat small tetras such as neons?
Mine never tried to eat other fish.
nice
neat
LOL! Peaceful.... I had one that killed my raspora, 2 cherry barbs, and one kubotai. I threw him back to the pet store. The only fish that he was bullied by was a red gourami.
Thanks, I enjoy your channel very much.
Thanks Rick. I'm glad you are here!
They prefer sand for sure.
Could they be tank mates with amatitlania nanolutea?
Possibly, but I would probably want at least a 40 gallon?
I do not have 20g tank but I have a 10 ga tank and I have to Ram and a Bolivian Ram and I have had them in the tank for a long time but now the Bolivian Ram keep changing the other two a rond and I have a lot of plants in the tank I don't want to get ride of the Bolivian Ram and I didn't have room for a 20g tank in my place so what should I do keep the Bolivian Ram from pick on the blue Ram's
Good question. If the tank already has hiding spots, there may not be much you can do other than removing the fish. Sounds like he is exercising his dominance in the tank.
I always wonder if those sponge filters actually keep the water that clean and polished, or is it that a lot of water changes are being done.
We've done videos on how we maintain our tanks. Basically water changes once a week on most tanks and clean sponge filters at that time. What you see in the videos is the result.
Hi... I know this is late but right now I’m really debating on Bolivian Rams Apistogramma or peacock Gudgeon which one do you think would do the best in a 32 gallon tank and why?
If you want to see my tank look at my last video I hope you respond 😅
All are good options. You will have more color options with apistos compared to Bolivian Rams. As long as they are close in size, there is a chance you could keep peacock gudgeons with either fish.
Do you think I can could keep both? Right now I have 3 honey gouramis
Iv had 8 Bolivian Rams in a 65g for over six months all mature fish they are in the same water that you described, I had 8 red tail tetras but they stayed down the bottom with thr Rams so I removed them, I have a sand substrate, bog , spawning sites around the tank , live plants. I feed them good quality flake food , bbs live shrimp, live worms when I can get them also frozen chiclid mix I try too vary their diet as much as possible. BUT they just stay motionless at the bottom of the tank most of the time when I sitting watching them they swim around but otherwise I'm sad to say they are very boring fish , two of them spawned a few times but ate the eggs and there hasn't been any eggs in months. I'm at the end of my patience with then now 😒 any advice on how too put some life into these fish I really like them but they won't breed. Tia 😰
It can be harder for the eggs to survive if the water is on the harder side. It can take them a few tries to get it right too.
I have ordered a Bolivian ram and my aquarium is already established. I have the natural color brown color gravel. I thought about changing my substrate to a black smaller gravel but not sure if moving my established tank gravel out and putting in new would destroy my established tank and have to go through the nitrogen cycle again. Will the Bolivian ram be fine on the gravel that is established and not worry about switching it to black gravel?
I wouldn't change it right now.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics okay. Thank ya.
Question:
Could you keep a single German blue ram male or Bolivian with calm betta in a 20 long? Also with Ember tetras?
My guess is the german ram will get bullied?
Did the ram murder your Betta lol
Can 6 plattys 5 panda Cory’s plus 1electric blue ram fit in a 35 gallon.Great video
I think that would be good.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics do you think I could add an angel fish or no
Just got a young set of Bolivian rams super tiny barely bigger then my thumb nail. Any more tips for beginners I got them blood worms, live plants, a decoration they can go in and out of hide in and under, heater keeps my tank at 78°-82°, have a air pump going at a nice not too heavy current, have a filter going is there anything I am missing?
As long as the tank is cycled you should be in good shape. Fish that small often go crazy for live baby brine shrimp if you feel like making it!
Do Bolivian rams pair up when they are still quite small/young?
Not that I have noticed.
I have mine in a community 55 by himself
I setup a 40 gallon breeder tank for a pair of Bolivian rams. I put a piece of spider wood, amazon sword and anubias plants, rocks and a rock cave as well as a clay pot in the tank. I have two rams that have differences such as size color and length of fins but Im not sure if they are a pair. They follow each other everywhere in the tank and spar a little but I’m not sure if this means anything since this is my first time keeping this fish. Should I give them more time to see if it turns out I have a pair or do you think I should get another two to up the odds of having two pair off?
With a 40 breeder you could do either. There is plenty of space in there for two pairs if that's how it turned out. : -)
How often do you feed them? Would I feed them just as often as any other fish, or would I feed them ever few hours as I've heard?
I feed them like every other fish.
Would 2 bolivian rams, 1 bristlenose and 3 cories and 2 guppies do well in a 20 long?
Most likely it would be ok
I am planning a 30 gallon tank. How can you make sure to get a proper pair? I might put them in with some von rio tetras and pygmy corydoras.
It’s a little easier to tell if they are close to full grown.
Hello @primeTimeAquatics, Can I keep 1 bolivian ram with 1 Dwarf Flag Cichlid (Laetacara curviceps) in a 30 gallon community tank with platys and mollies?
Hard to say for sure if they will get along, but they are two of the more tame cichlids.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you!
Can two or more females get along?
Often they do
Should I buy some sinking pellets, or will these guys be able to get to submerged flakes before a school of 15 rasboras do?
They are usually pretty aggressive eaters and should be able to compete just fine.
I have just bought a single Bolivian Ram for my 20 gallon community tank - have had it for about a week - I don’t think it’s an adult yet - it doesn’t have anywhere near the same kind of colours as yours - mine has some red on the end of its fins and that’s about it. Anything I can do to bring out its colours? Or will that just come in time?
Just give it time. They also show better color when the substrate and background is dark.
Question: i have 40gallon breeder. Could i keep a pair of bolivian rams with a single angelfish for a community tank like setup? I wanted to add cherry barbs and corys and plecos too.
Most likely it would work ok.
@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you!
75 gallon community idea
1 Red shoulder severum (as the centerpiece)
1 electric blue acara
1 pearl Gourami
Maybe 5 or 6 Bolivians?
Some sort of pleco?
Would this be a safe stocking level?
Possibly - you can never be 100% when mixing cichlids, but it might work.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics we have a 40 with a group of pearls that we would work as a backup for a pearl and I've got a 20 long that could house a couple of Bolivians if they pair off, so I have a backup plan in those regards. Based on your experience would you suggest adding them all as juveniles if possible? Basically a 4 foot tank is my limit and a sevrum centerpiece is the main hope. I wouldn't be upset if it ended up being a single specimen tank, but I would love for him to have tankmates.
Hi, what exactly do you use as spawning site if they dont spawn on sand ? Thanks.
They spawned by the cave.