Rio Mamoré Butterfly Ram

The Rio Mamoré locality form of Mikrogeophagus altispinosus originates from the Mamoré River system in the Bolivian Amazon basin — one of the major tributaries of the Madeira River. This locality form is distinguishable from other Bolivian Ram populations by its slightly paler base body coloration and subtly different fin proportions, with marginally longer dorsal fin spine extensions in dominant males.

The Mamoré River runs through the broad Bolivian floodplains and can experience considerable seasonal variation, giving this locality form a degree of environmental flexibility. It tolerates the same broad range of soft to moderately hard water typical of Bolivian Rams while showing the natural, unmanipulated proportions of a wild-caught population.

For hobbyists interested in locality forms and the subtle differences between wild populations of this beloved species, the Rio Mamoré form offers a genuinely distinct variant that is well-suited to planted community aquaria.

Water: Soft to moderate — pH 6.0–7.5, temperature 22–27°C. Tank: 80 L with sandy areas, plant clusters, and caves; an open swimming area is appreciated. Feeding: Varied omnivore diet: pellets, frozen Artemia, bloodworm, vegetable matter. Breeding: Cave or open spawner; both parents care for fry. Compatibility: Excellent community cichlid; peaceful with virtually all small to medium non-aggressive species.