Breeding Marlier's Julie (Julidochromis Marlieri) In The Aquarium

Marlier's Julie, Spotted Julie, Checkered Julie, Checkerboard Julie

Distribution

The species is a freshwater fish, endemic to the northwest and southern shores of Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It inhabits rocky habitats at considerable depths.

Appearance

The fish is characterized by a cylindrical body shape with a protruding upper lip typical of this species. In addition to permanent teeth, it also has additional - pharyngeal teeth, it also has only one pair of nostrils. The body color is gray-beige/white-yellowish with black/brown, irregular spots arranged into transverse/horizontal stripes or like a checkerboard, also on the abdomen. You can see an additional dark stripe under the eye, which only occurs in this species. The dorsal, caudal, and anal fins have a blue margin. This fish may have a darker or lighter color, and this is strictly related to the depth at which it lives - the deeper (less light), the darker the color. Females are larger than males.

Temperament

By nature, the Marlier's Julidochromis is calm, intelligent but also territorial and aggressive, especially when pairs start to form and during spawning. They can be kept in a community aquarium, preferably a biotope aquarium (Lake Tanganyika biotope) with other cichlids of similar size.

Aquarium

The species prefers spacious aquariums with numerous hiding places among dark-colored rocks and stones. The substrate should be soft and fine-grained (sand or gravel), preferably dark, the lighting subdued (the brighter the light, the paler the Marlier's Julidochromis color). Effective filtration with moderate-strong flow and well-oxygenated water is needed. Regular partial water changes are necessary (about 10% once a week). Aquarium conditions should be stable. All fluctuations in parameters are poorly tolerated by fish.

Reproduction

It is an oviparous species, which will reproduce in a general or breeding aquarium. Hideouts among rocks, ceramic shells, or caves formed from stones will be necessary. It's best when pairs choose each other from a larger group - this will only be possible when we keep young fish together (from 2.5-3 cm). To spawn, the fish can be stimulated by more abundant feeding with live food. The female lays eggs in the territory chosen by the male, usually in a tight rock crevice. Fish often form lasting, monogamous pairs, but very often the female cohabits with two males, in two separate territories. Parents take care of the deposited eggs. Usually, the larger female protects the territory and repels intruders, and the smaller male directly takes care of the laid eggs. The fry begins to swim freely in search of food after 5-8 days (depending on the water temperature).