Edit Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

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Name

Scientific name

Mikrogeophagus altispinosus

Described by

Authority Haseman, Year 1911

Family

Cichlidae

Summary

The Bolivian ram, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus, is a cichlid endemic to the upper rio Madeira basin in Bolivia and Brazil. Also traded as 'h…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

80mm, standard length

Tank size

Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm

Water

Temperature and pH

Temperature 24–28°C, pH 6–7.5

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries

Bolivia, Brazil

Supporting text

Etymology

Mikrogeophagus: from the Greek μικρός (mikrós), meaning 'small', and the generic name Geophagus. altispinosus: presumably from the Latin altus, meaning 'high',…

Distribution

This species is considered endemic to the upper rio Madeira basin in Bolivia and Brazil. Records exist from the Río Mamoré and Río Guaporé drainages in Bolivia…

Habitat

Little information is available but presumably inhabits tributaries, marginal zones, oxbows and lakes with substrates of sand or mud. The upper Madeira system …

Aquarium size

This species should be maintained as a solitary individual, or a bonded pair. It may be housed in a group provided the aquarium is spacious; an aquarium with a…

Maintenance

The most essential addition is a soft, sandy substrate so that the fish can browse naturally (see 'Diet'). Coarser options such as gravel or small pebbles can …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Mikrogeophagus spp. are benthophagous by nature, normally taking mouthfuls of substrate which are sifted for edible items with the remaining material expelled …

Mikrogeophagus spp. are benthophagous by nature, normally taking mouthfuls of substrate which are sifted for edible items with the remaining material expelled via the gill openings and mouth, although they will also browse solid surfaces and snatch items directly from the water column.

In the aquarium they should be offered a variety of live and frozen fare such as bloodworm, Artemia, Daphnia, grindal worm, etc. supplemented by good quality, sinking dried foods of a suitably small size. Wild fish may initially refuse the latter but normally learn to accept them over time.

Home-made, gelatine-bound recipes containing a mixture of dried fish food, puréed shellfish, fresh fruit and vegetables, for example, also work well and can be cut into bite-sized discs using the end of a sharp pipette or small knife.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the profileFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Behaviour and compatibility

Despite normally being sold as such M. altispinosus is not recommended for the general community aquarium since it requires pristine water quality and is a poo…

Sexual dimorphism

Adult males grow larger than females, possess slightly more-extended fins and are more intensely-coloured.

Reproduction

This species is a biparental substrate spawner and is best bred in a dedicated set-up with no other fishes present. There does not appear to be any particular …

Notes

This species is also traded as 'hi-fin ram' 'Bolivian butterfly' or 'ruby crown cichlid' and is arguably a better choice for less-experienced aquarists than it…

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Tank size

Water

Temperature and pH

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries

Supporting text

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References