CICHLIDS OF LAKE TANGANYIKA.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Pseudocrenilabrinae )
Genus Julidochromis.
Inhabit the coastal and rocky ridges of Lake Tanganyika at depths of 3-5 m. Close genera to Julidochromis in Lake Tanganyika are Chalinochromis and Telmatochromis, whose representatives look very similar to Julidochromis. The genus Julidochromis is small, numbering only five species: Each species includes a number of geographical races. Characteristic of the entire genus are: • a very elongated, low-bodied structure with an oval cross-section; • pointed and partially elongated ends of the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins; • the caudal fin is always rounded; • the mouth is relatively small, direct or slightly inferior in position with small, conical, single-cusped teeth; • well-defined lips and a large number of hard rays in the dorsal and anal fins.
The genus Julidochromis is conventionally divided into small and large species. Small ones — J. ornatus, J. transcriptus — reach 8 cm; Large ones — J. marlieri, J. regani — reach 12 cm; and J. dickfeldi has an intermediate size of 10 cm. Large species can be easily distinguished by the presence of a stripe under the eyes. The small mouth in Julidochromis regani and Julidochromis marlieri has a terminal position. In species such as Julidochromis ornatus, J. transcriptus, and J. dickfeldi, the mouth has an inferior position. Males in julies are much more elegant than females. As a rule, they are somewhat smaller. The coloration of individuals of the opposite sex is identical. Many julidochromis have geographical morphs.
Aquariums with numerous shelters are used for their maintenance. For keeping and breeding small species of julidochromis, 40 liters is needed for a single pair, while large species require 60 liters. All species lead a rather secretive lifestyle, staying near shelters all the time. Both in fry and adult states, julidochromis stay close to shelters, whether grass bushes, rocks, or ceramics, the main thing being the ability to quickly hide from any irritant. The best landscape in the aquarium for them will be various rocks and grottoes, with sandy bottom patches. What is really important for all these fish is that the stones at the back wall of the aquarium reach all the way to the top cover. This forms caves and crevices, which are extremely important for the fish’s well-being.
Julidochromis spend most of their lives in or near shelters. When there are no fry or eggs, julidochromis do not defend the shelter, but still, having chosen it according to some criteria, prefer to stay close to it. The lifestyle of julidochromis is inextricably linked with stones. Julidochromis seem to be “tied” to them and move along their surface in vertical, horizontal, inclined, and any other planes. They easily hover head down or head up, upside down.
Territories with caves and crevices between stones should be separated by plants or rock piles. The alternation of free bottom areas (sandy paths) between individual rocky structures in the aquarium is very important to avoid the formation of large territories captured by a single pair of fish. You should not change the aquarium setup too often, as this can provoke conflict even in an established pair of julidochromis.
Yellowish or gray (preferably rounded) sand of medium and coarse fraction is suitable as a substrate, with a layer not exceeding 2-2.5 cm laid on the bottom. As a rule, the darker the substrate color, the more contrasted and richer the attire of the julidochromis inhabiting it. Tough-leaved and shade-tolerant plants can be used in the aquarium with julidochromis.
The strength of marital ties is determined by the territory where the fish live. Changes in decoration, and sometimes even water changes, can lead to a rupture of relations between partners. Breeders form spontaneously from a school of young fish. The uniting factors in a “marital union” are the protection of the dwelling from encroachments and the continuation of the species. Moreover, the presence of an irritating element (intruders) only strengthens the “marital relations”.
Common to the genus is the absence of external aggression. However, during the spawning period, animals begin to compete quite actively with fish of other genera having similar territorial preferences. When combined in the same aquarium with julidochromis, for example, Neolamprologus cylindricus or N. brichardi, fierce skirmishes are very likely. They should be kept in pairs, in a general aquarium, with similarly sized fish. In the aquarium, after pair formation, extra fish are removed. They are territorial, and males are aggressive towards each other.
Fish mature at 8-12 months, large species somewhat later. The main component of pre-spawning behavior is chasing the partner. The male and female alternately chase each other, while the male arches and vibrates in front of the female. It often happens that a conflict occurs in a separately kept pair of breeders: the female begins to chase the male and everything can end in the death of the latter. Temporary separation of the pair or replacement of one individual with another rarely brings a positive result. It is effective to install a transparent partition in the vertical corner of the aquarium, not reaching the bottom by 2 cm. Reproductive capacity is retained in fish up to 4-5 years.
Fish spawn either on vertical or ceiling surfaces. A suitable shelter for spawning can be a flowerpot with a hole in the wall or a grotto made of stones. Cichlids care for the larvae together. In most species, the female usually does this. Both individuals show a noticeable increase in aggressiveness, and skirmishes may occur between them. Since females are usually larger than the male, death may threaten him in case of a conflict. The aggressiveness of the breeders, however, does not extend to the offspring.
After the fry begin to swim independently, all parental care comes down to guarding the territory (usually the male does this). Julidochromis fry often swim upside down under the ceiling of their native cave. Parents often allow several generations of different ages to be present on their territory simultaneously (“multi-story breeding”). Grown-up fish sometimes help parents care for a new clutch. Upon reaching a certain age, the fry are driven away by the parents. As offspring appear, the young should be removed from the parents to avoid overcrowding.
In large aquariums, a single parental pair can give rise to several colonies. At the age of 1-1.5 months, the fry acquire the parents’ coloration and form a fry school. A fry school of julidochromis is not a strictly organized group. The fry simply try to stay close to individuals of suitable size and coloration.
In addition, a remarkable feature of this genus of cichlids is that it is strictly not recommended to remove offspring until they “bring out” the next one. Females most often do not forgive males for a sloppy attitude towards the fry and can kill the male if you catch all the fry from the aquarium. Fish obtained as a result of aquarium breeding are usually smaller than their wild counterparts.
The main criteria when choosing neighbors for julidochromis are always similar feeding specializations and different ecological niches occupied in the aquarium. The favorite food of adult fish is Daphnia, Moina, large Artemia and Cyclops, Corethra, small bloodworms. In case of diseases, malaise, and lethargy of julidochromis, water salinity should be increased (3-5 g of salt per 1 liter), and the frequency of water exchange increased. Under unfavorable keeping conditions and feeding with poor-quality food, fish develop dropsy accompanied by raised scales. They live in the aquarium for 10-12 years. Hardness 8-25°, pH 7.2-9.2, temperature 22-28°C.
In large aquariums with a rocky interior, related species with identical behavior can be kept: Golden — Julidochromis ornatus, Masked — Julidochromis transcriptus, Regan’s — Julidochromis regani.
— Julidochromis dickfeldi [Staeck, 1975] — Dickfeld’s pearl julie. (Engl. Blue Julie, Brown Julie, Dickfeld’s Julie). Lake Tanganyika. Up to 11 cm, in aquarium 5-9 cm. Body elongated, caudal fin rounded. Slightly different from other julidochromis — has a larger dorsal fin, as well as a more pointed snout. Males and females are colored identically. Fish are orange-brown or beige-brown, the lower part is darker, with rows of shiny scales on the sides.
Two longitudinal bluish-black shiny stripes run along the sides, and one thin one at the base of the dorsal fin. The first stripe begins in the forehead area, runs along near the dorsal fin, and ends in the area where the anal fin begins. The second begins slightly higher and behind the eyes, runs parallel to the upper stripe and ends at the end of the dorsal fin, and then thin to the tail. The third stripe passes through the entire body of the fish, starting from the tip of the nose and ending in the caudal region.
The forehead has three small dark horizontal stripes. A thin hatching of intermittent dark strips runs along the back, of the same color as the “mask” on the head. Scales with a blue border, the edging of scales on the sides of the body has a light sheen. Head with black spots and strokes. Blue-pearl sparkles are scattered all over the body and fins. White-blue edging on the dorsal and caudal fins. When frightened, they immediately discolor. Males and females are almost identical, but females are generally larger and fuller than males. The fry is colored like the parents, but lighter.
Among the best-known geographical races are: — J. dickfeldi “Congo” — have a more saturated dark blue color of not only the fins, but the entire body of the fish; — J. dickfeldi “Moliro Zaire” — body beige-gray with two longitudinal black stripes. Unpaired fins are turquoise-blue, belly of light tones. Fish size up to 10 cm, males are often not smaller than females; — J. dickfeldi “NdoLe Bay Zambia” — fins are colored blue. Stripes passing through the entire body from head to tail are glossy black. Yellow veins between them. Belly is dark, brownish scales on it cast pearl. Females up to 12 cm, males 6-8 cm; — J. dickfeldi “Kapamba Zaire” — the coloration of the fish practically repeats that of the previous race, only there are more yellow colors in the fish’s coloration and pearl sparkles are scattered all over the body. Fins are not blue, but with a pronounced pearl pattern. Fish are more rounded and not as aggressive towards each other as their larger relatives. Female 7 cm, male 4-5 cm.
This species is the most delicate of all julidochromis. Keep in aquariums with a large number of shelters, caves, crevices, and a substrate of fine sand. For keeping a single pair, the bottom area must be at least 0.25 square meters. It gets along well with fish of other species, except for very large and predatory ones, but is distinguished by high intraspecific aggression. Therefore, it is better to keep pairs separately. When kept together, fish often change partners, hence nervousness and increasing aggression. The male is unusually aggressive and can kill the female when frightened.
When setting up the aquarium, it is necessary to provide a shelter for each fish. Plastic and clay pipes, flowerpots, shells, red slotted ceramic bricks, and stone caves can be used in the aquarium design. Indifferent to plants, plants that tolerate hard alkaline water can be used. Insect larvae, daphnia, cyclops, and various live and frozen foods can be used as food.
When choosing neighbors, it is recommended to avoid fish similar in coloration and behavior. Fish are sensitive to changes in the aquarium (water replacement, change in interior arrangement, removal of fry). All this can lead to quarrels within the pair and serious injuries to the fish. Fish are monogamous, form stable pairs, and spawning takes place in shelters. They mature in 12-18 months. Lives up to 7 years. T 25-27°C; pH 7.6-8.5; dH 10-20°.
Julidochromis marlieri, Julidochromis ornatus.
Gnathochromis permaxillaris, Gnathochromis pfefferi. 
