Masked Julie

Julidochromis transcriptus, at 6–7 cm, is the smallest species of the genus. Its body, which ranges from dark brown to black, is broken up by whitish horizontal lines, broken bands or spots depending on the local form; the edges of the dorsal and tail fins are light-colored. The pattern differs markedly between populations.

Thanks to its small size, a pair can comfortably be kept even in a 60-liter aquarium. Like other julies, it swims close against the rock, slips in and out of narrow crevices and forms pair bonds.

It lives along the lake's rocky shores, in narrow gaps among rock piles and rubble. Pairs claim small territories and pick up small invertebrates on the rock surface. Its dark color makes it almost invisible in the shadows of the rocks.

• Volume: 60 liters for a pair; 100 liters or more with other species.
• Rockwork: sturdy rock piles with narrow crevices and small caves.
• Water: pH 8–9, hard and stable; a 20–25% water change every week.
• Substrate: fine sand; a light-colored substrate brings out the dark pattern.

Mainly carnivorous. A fine-grained granule or flake food should be the staple; vary it with frozen cyclops, brine shrimp and daphnia. Food pieces must be small for its small mouth.

An unassuming but determined territory holder; it defends only its own rock group. It is generally tolerant of other species. When there are eggs and fry, it drives off fish that approach its territory with short lunges, even if they are larger than itself.

Good companions: shell-dwelling cichlids (multifasciatus, similis, brevis), Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, small and calm Tanganyika species.

Avoid: other Julidochromis species (they hybridize), large carnivorous cichlids, shrimp, aggressive mbuna.

• Kept as a pair; juveniles are grown up together and the pair that forms naturally is chosen.
• The pair keeps its fry in its territory for a while; fry of several sizes can be seen at the same time.
• Maturing juveniles should be removed once the pair starts chasing them.
• There should be only one pair in a small aquarium; in 150 liters or more, two pairs can live side by side if the rock groups are separated from each other.

A few dozen eggs are laid inside a narrow crevice or small cave. The eggs hatch within a few days; the fry become free-swimming after about a week. They are fed newly hatched brine shrimp and powdered food. The parents keep an eye on the fry for a long time.

• Hardy; soft water and low pH are the biggest risk.
• In a small volume, overfeeding quickly spoils water quality.
• Fight wounds may be seen in incompatible pairs.

Difficult from the outside. The female is usually slightly larger and plumper. A definite distinction is made by looking at the genital papilla.