Masked julie

Care at a glance

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.

Related species

• 

  Convict julie

  Julidochromis regani

  5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Golden Julie

  Julidochromis ornatus

  3.1 in (8 cm)18 gal (70 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Brown Julie

  Julidochromis dickfeldi

  4.3 in (11 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Marlier's julie

  Julidochromis marlieri

  5.9 in (15 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Caudopunctatus

  Neolamprologus caudopunctatus

  2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–79°F (24–26°C)

• 

  Brevis Shell Dweller

  Neolamprologus brevis

  2.4 in (6 cm)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)