Masked julie
Julidochromis transcriptus
Also known as Masked julidochromis, Transcriptus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 7.8–9.0
- Adult size
- 2.8 in
- 7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rocky shorelines of the northern part of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Overview
A bonded pair does well in a tank as small as 75 liters with lots of rock and caves. Water should be hard and alkaline at 24 to 27 C, pH 7.8 to 9.0. They are peaceful toward other fish but defend their own crevice, so give tankmates their own space. Feed small frozen and dry foods such as cyclops, brine shrimp and fine pellets.
In the wild
The masked julie is the smallest of the julie cichlids and lives tucked into rock cracks in Lake Tanganyika. It moves in a slow, deliberate way, often hugging vertical rock faces. Its black and white ladder pattern breaks up its outline against the stones.
Good to know
Julidochromis transcriptus is a cave spawner that sticks its eggs to the roof or wall of a rock crevice. Pairs are strongly bonded and both parents guard the fry. Only one julie species should be kept per tank because the different species readily crossbreed.
Did you know
A settled pair often spawns again and again in the same crevice, slowly building a small stable family group in one corner of the tank.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Masked julie is a mostly peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
White-spotted cichlid
Tropheus duboisi
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Pearly ocellatus
Lamprologus stappersi
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Tanganyika killifish
Lamprichthys tanganicanus
Freshwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)73–77°F (23–25°C)
Even-Spotted squeaker
Synodontis petricola
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Masked julie need?
A Masked julie needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Masked julie need?
A Masked julie is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 7.8–9.0.
How big does a Masked julie get?
An adult Masked julie reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
Related species
5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Convict julie
Julidochromis regani
5.1 in (13 cm) · 29 gal (110 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)
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)
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)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)Caudopunctatus
Neolamprologus caudopunctatus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Spotfin goby cichlid
Tanganicodus irsacae
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)