Convict julie
Julidochromis regani
Also known as Regan's julie, Striped julie
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 5.1 in
- 13 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rocky shorelines around the edges of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Overview
A pair needs a rocky tank of at least 110 liters with caves and passages for shelter and spawning. Keep the water hard and alkaline at 24 to 27 C, pH 7.8 to 9.0. They are calm with unrelated tankmates but territorial near the nest, and only one julie species should share a tank to avoid hybrids. Feed frozen and dry foods including brine shrimp, mysis and quality pellets.
In the wild
The convict julie is the largest and most elongated of the common julies. It patrols rocky slopes in Lake Tanganyika, weaving along the stone in a horizontal, stretched out posture. Its cream body carries several dark horizontal stripes.
Good to know
Like its relatives, Julidochromis regani lays eggs inside rock caves and both parents tend the brood. Different shoreline populations vary in base color from pale to golden. The genus name and the julie nickname both come from this group of striped Tanganyikan cave spawners.
Did you know
Julies swim as comfortably upside down along a cave roof as they do right side up, following the rock rather than the open water.
Common questions
What size tank does a Convict julie need?
A Convict julie needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Convict julie need?
A Convict julie is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
How big does a Convict julie get?
An adult Convict julie reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Masked julie
Julidochromis transcriptus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Marlier's julie
Julidochromis marlieri
5.9 in (15 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Brown julie
Julidochromis dickfeldi
4.3 in (11 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)18 gal (70 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Golden julie
Julidochromis ornatus
3.1 in (8 cm) · 18 gal (70 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Black calvus
Altolamprologus calvus
5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Compressiceps
Altolamprologus compressiceps
5.1 in (13 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)