Tank size · Freshwater
What size tank for a Bolivian ram? (30 gal minimum)
Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus) — adult 3.5″, medium-bodied, peaceful.
The three sizes — minimum, good, ideal
| Tier | Tank size | What it gets you |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute minimum | 30 US gal | Survives adult life. No extras — no tankmates beyond the essentials, no aquascape that eats footprint. |
| Good | 45 US gal | Room for a small community, decor, and parameter buffering. This is where most people should aim. |
| Ideal | 75 US gal | Natural-feeling space. Active swimmers stop pacing, schoolers school freely, aggression drops. |
Parameters at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–82 °F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Adult size
- 3.5″
- Body type
- medium
Source for the tank-size minimum
Seriously Fish profile.
Next steps
- ▸ Build a candidate stocking list with the aquarium stocking calculator — it'll warn if your community is incompatible.
- ▸ Confirm tank water volume after substrate and rock with the aquarium volume calculator.
- ▸ Read the nitrogen-cycle guide before adding the first fish.
People also ask
- What is the absolute minimum tank size for a Bolivian ram?
- 30 US gallons as an adult, no strict footprint requirement. Seriously Fish profile.
- Can I keep a Bolivian ram in a smaller tank when it's a juvenile?
- Briefly, yes — fish stores often sell juveniles that haven't reached adult size yet. But you should plan, buy, and cycle the adult-minimum tank from day one. Upgrading mid-life stresses the fish and is far more expensive than buying the right tank up front.
- Can I keep more than one Bolivian ram together?
- It depends on the species' behaviour (peaceful). Bolivian ram can usually be kept in small groups in an appropriately sized tank.
- What temperature and pH does a Bolivian ram need?
- Temperature 72–82 °F, pH 6–7.5.
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