Family: Cichlidae
Bolivian Butterfly Cichlid — a Cichlidae from South America, assertive but manageable with space and structure. Reaches 4.2–6.2 cm; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded. 22–26 °C.
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus, a member of the family Cichlidae, comes from South America, where it inhabits lakes and slow rivers with structure. Assertive but manageable with space and structure and accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety, it grows to 4.2–6.2 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 22–26 °C range. Other Mikrogeophagus species in our database include Mikrogeophagus ramirezi.
Intermediate difficulty. Assertive but manageable with space and structure; singly, in pairs, or as a harem — never crowded.
Aim for 22–26 °C. Heater required for stable tropical warmth; 22–26 °C recorded range.
Adults reach 4.2–6.2 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 46 litres.
Accepts all foods; emphasise quality over variety. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Yes, with care. Assertive but manageable with space and structure — pair it with Large robust catfish — Ignore the posturing below and skip Small or timid fish — Bullied relentlessly.
Native to South America, where it lives in lakes and slow rivers with structure. Still to gentle current; Moderate.
Not a noted jumper — a standard cover still keeps dust and spray in.
Cave or substrate spawner with prolonged parental care. Often striking; males larger and brighter.