Rio Guaporé Butterfly Ram

The Rio Guaporé locality form of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Bolivian Ram) is a wild-type variant collected from the Guaporé/Itenez River system that forms the border between Bolivia and Brazil. Compared to the widely available farm-bred Bolivian Ram, this locality form shows more densely packed and vivid electric blue spotting across the body and fins, a deeper reddish-yellow ventral surface, and a more naturally proportioned, athletic body profile.

The Rio Guaporé flows through the Bolivian lowlands at moderate altitude, producing slightly cooler, soft to moderately soft water — conditions this form is perfectly adapted to and which distinguish it from the Amazonian Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. Bolivian Rams are among the most peaceful and community-compatible cichlids in the hobby.

This wild locality form is best kept in a biotopically appropriate setup with sandy substrate, driftwood, and aquatic plants, where it will display its natural foraging and breeding behavior to best effect.

Water: Soft to moderate — pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–27°C; cooler than most cichlids. Tank: 80 L minimum; open sandy areas with plant clusters and driftwood for cave sites. Feeding: Omnivore — sifts sand for invertebrates; accepts pellets, frozen Artemia, bloodworm. Breeding: Open/cave spawner; both parents guard fry; relatively straightforward. Compatibility: One of the best cichlids for community tanks; pairs well with tetras, Corydoras, and Apistogramma.