Czech Or Bolivian?

[Rorie]

I was set on getting bolivian Rams, but someone has suggested that Czech rams are much nicer in colour. Can anybody show me a photo of each to compare? Each time i search on google, i get the same result for both!

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

When i googled it i got a picture of some sheep!

I think it may relate to where they are bred and may have slight colour differences.

 

[Rorie]

When i googled it i got a picture of some sheep!

I think it may relate to where they are bred and may have slight colour differences.

haha, Well, i am quite sure that it will not be anything fluffy that i'll be adding to the tank!

Anybody had more luck than finding a wooly jumper?

 

[Khalil]

Here's a link with the two different rams.

My link disappeared apparently...

You might try searching their scientific names:

Microgeophagus Altinposa Which is known as Bolivian Ram

Microgeophagus Ramirezi Which is sometimes known as Czech Ram

The Bolivian is typically lighter, while the Czech is darker with blue highlights.

 

[Davo86]

Czech/Dutch/German Rams are Blue/Gold Rams

 

[Rorie]

Am I correct in saying the differences are pretty small?

When i search, even with the scientific names, i still struggle to see the difference.

For example, this one keeps coming up time and time again....what is it?

LINK

 

[Khalil]

There is some debate whether both species are closely related enough to be in the same genus. There are no huge differences between the two species.

 

[Davo86]

Blue

Bolivian

your Link shows an example of a perfect Bolivian Ram

 

[fluttermoth]

Am I correct in saying the differences are pretty small?

When i search, even with the scientific names, i still struggle to see the difference.

For example, this one keeps coming up time and time again....what is it?

LINK

That's the Bolivian ram; but I'm 99% sure that photo has artificially heightened colours; as lovely as Bolivians are, they're just not that bright in real life!

I think everyone would probably agree that Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, the German/Gold/blue ram is the more brightly coloured of the two, but it is a lot more delicate. They need very warm water (28°C/82°F) and very low nitrates to do well. M. altispinosa is less brightly coloured, but far hardier and easier to keep.

In terms of character, I'd say there was very little to choose between them.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Bolivians can color up a lot when trying to pair up. Here is a pic of one of mine. This color lasted a few days and then faded a little.

They are less colorful than German for sure, and slightly bigger and less fussy on tank conditions.

 

[ajs2294]

That's the Bolivian ram; but I'm 99% sure that photo has artificially heightened colours; as lovely as Bolivians are, they're just not that bright in real life!

It seems often in LFS Bolivians are quite dull but when they settle into a tank after a period of weeks or months they really do color up especially when pairing or mating. Though they do seem to change colors quite frequently depending on what Id assume is there mood. In the mornings mine always seem rather dull but in the afternoons they are quite bright, guess they just arnt morning fishes

The biggest difference between Bolivians and Germans IME is temperature. Germans seem to prefer high temps around 80 and Bolivians a bit lower at 75-77.

 

[Rorie]

That answers my questions anyway So thanks for all the help!

 

[Gvilleguy]

]
It seems often in LFS Bolivians are quite dull but when they settle into a tank after a period of weeks or months they really do color up especially when pairing or mating. Though they do seem to change colors quite frequently depending on what Id assume is there mood. In the mornings mine always seem rather dull but in the afternoons they are quite bright, guess they just arnt morning fishes
Bolivians and Germans IME is temperature. Germans seem to prefer high temps around 80 and Bolivians a bit lower at 75-77.

I agree. My Rams change colors throughout the day. When I feed them their colors pop out.