Masked Julie (Julidochromis transcriptus)

Common Name:

Masked Julie.

Other Name:

Black-and-White Julie.

Scientific Name:

Julidochromis transcriptus.

Family:

Cichlidae.

Subfamily:

Pseudocrenilabrinae.

Class:

African.

Distribution:

Endemic to the northwest shore of Lake Tanganyika, between Luhanga and Makabola (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Size:

Approx 3 inches.

Diet:

Feeds mostly on microorganisms in the wild. Small prepared foods will be taken in the aquarium, as will small live foods and plant matter.

Water Temperature:

72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22-25 degrees Celsius).

Water Chemistry:

Moderately hard to hard water is appreciated. It must be low in nitrates and ammonia or else the fish succumb to all sorts of diseases.

pH:

8.5-9.2.

Lifespan:

5-10 years reported.

Description:

These are usually torpedo-shaped fish that have the same general profile as their more "ornate" congeners, which are known as J. ornatus. The body is somewhat yellow to intensely yellow. There are three dark lateral stripes, which extend throughout the body, though they may not be completely connected. There are also about a half dozen dark stripes, which extend from the dorsal surface to the lowest lateral stripe. Some of them never really appear to be complete to the point where their absence may be noted. Their pelvic fins are yellow. Some minute differences in pattern and coloration may exist from population to population.

Behaviour:

These are usually solitary and territorial, but may be kept in established breeding pairs in aquaria.

Sexing:

Females are larger and may have greater girth, especially when gravid.

Breeding:

They will breed when their tank is in the conditions described above. A few dozen eggs will be laid on the ceiling of a cave in the tank. The young will hatch in 2-4 days and adhere to the cave. The pair cares for their brood, which may be fed with baby brine shrimp and small dry foods.

Established pairs they breed readily when in their own tank.

The breeding of J. transcriptus, according to MongaBay, is more difficult than that of any of their congeners.

Natural Conditions

Rocky, sometimes planted, regions near the shore of Lake Tanganyika. (They do best in aquaria with caves and rockwork throughout.)

Minimum recommended tank size:

15 gallons.

Miscellaneous:

According to FishBase, only Matthes' 1959 description has been made for the Masked Julie.

J. transcriptus var. "Gombi" may or may not be a member of this species; its pattern seems more like those of some larger congeners, as does its size.

Photo Credit:

Photos supplied courtesy and ^©Littlemousling.