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
- Cave spawner · Easy
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Rocky shorelines of the northern part of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.
Overview
The masked julie is a small, mostly peaceful cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that keeps to the rocks near the bottom. Keeping it is easy.
Did you know
A settled pair of masked julies often spawns again and again in the same crevice. Over time, the pair builds a small, stable family group in one corner of the tank.
Caring for the masked julie
A bonded pair of masked julies does well in a tank as small as 20 gal (75 L). Give them lots of rock and caves.
Keep the water hard and alkaline, at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 7.8 to 9.0. Feed small frozen and dry foods, such as cyclops, brine shrimp and fine pellets.
Masked julies are peaceful toward other fish but defend their own crevice, so give tank mates their own space. Keep only one julie species per tank, because the different species readily crossbreed.
They are cave spawners that stick their eggs to the roof or wall of a rock crevice. Pairs are strongly bonded, and both parents guard the fry. Breeding them is easy.
Good to know
The masked julie, Julidochromis transcriptus, is the smallest of the julie cichlids in the family Cichlidae. Its black and white ladder pattern breaks up its outline against the stones.
In the wild
The masked julie lives tucked into rock cracks along the rocky northern shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, in East Africa. It moves in a slow, deliberate way, often hugging vertical rock faces.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The 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.
Multie shell dweller
Neolamprologus multifasciatus
Freshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Cuckoo squeaker
Synodontis multipunctatus
Freshwater7.1 in (18 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Falcicula cichlid
Neolamprologus falcicula
Freshwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 42 gal (160 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)
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.
What does a masked julie eat?
A masked julie takes small frozen and dry foods. Cyclops, brine shrimp and fine pellets all suit it.
How big does a masked julie get?
An adult masked julie reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).
How does a masked julie breed?
Masked julies spawn in rock crevices, sticking their eggs to the roof or wall. The bonded pair guards the fry together, and breeding them is easy.
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)