Royal Ram?

[GJF]

Hi guys,

just a quick question really, my LFS advertises what appear to me to be Bolivian Rams as ‘Royal Rams’. Can anyone advise if a royal ram is simply a trade name for the Bolivian Ram, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus?

I’ve also found that Bolivian Rams are considered good community cichlids, do they do okay on their own within a community tank?

many Thanks!

 

[HoldenOn]

Hi guys,

just a quick question really, my LFS advertises what appear to me to be Bolivian Rams as ‘Royal Rams’. Can anyone advise if a royal ram is simply a trade name for the Bolivian Ram, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus?

I’ve also found that Bolivian Rams are considered good community cichlids, do they do okay on their own within a community tank?

many Thanks!

Yes. Keeping one solo is the way to go, unless you can find a bonded pair. I had always thought Royal Rams were mikrogeophagus ramirezi, but mikrogeophagus a. and mikrogeophagus r. look very different. Do you have a pic? Usually you want to avoid the blue ones (mikrogeophagus ramirezi) because of their requirements.

 

[Essjay]

Look at their eyes. Mikrogeophagus ramirezi have bits of red in their eye rings. M. altispinosus have no red.

 

[Bub]

Royal rams are one of the names that are applied to Bolivians. Just not very often. They are easy to tell apart anyway, ramirezi have red eyes and sparkling blue spots

I have found them to be good in community tanks. Even when they breed. I have five of them.

 

[HoldenOn]

Royal rams are one of the names that are applied to Bolivians. Just not very often. They are easy to tell apart anyway, ramirezi have red eyes and sparkling blue spots

I have found them to be good in community tanks. Even when they breed. I have five of them.

You need a really big footprint for that many. How many gallons was it?

 

[Bub]

You need a really big footprint for that many. How many gallons was it?

55 gallons. It's not entirely the footprint that matters (thought it does), so much as the way that the tank is set up. Either way, my rams all congregate together most of the time, apart from when they pair off the breed.

 

[HoldenOn]

55 gallons. It's not entirely the footprint that matters (thought it does), so much as the way that the tank is set up. Either way, my rams all congregate together most of the time, apart from when they pair off the breed.

That's super cool!

 

[GJF]

Thank you everyone!

 

[GJF]

Just thought I would provide a picture of my newest addition!