Golden Julie

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Scientific Name

Julidochromis ornatus

Min. Tank Size

25 gallons

Personality

Aggressive

Temperature

75-82°F

pH

7.5-9.0/10-25°dGH

Size

3.5"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Best kept in a biotype tank with other medium-sized Lake Tanganyika Cichlids; should be kept in mated pairs.

Golden Julie

One of the most common Julies in the aquarium hobby, Golden Julies may also be called Yellow or Ornate Julies. These fish are endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa and can usually be found in the intermediate portion of the lake between the shoreline and open water. These fish tend to prefer rocky areas where they can establish their territory. Golden Julies may vary in overall coloration from light brown to yellow and most specimens exhibit thick, black bands running horizontally along the body. These fish have elongated dorsal fins and rounded caudal fins, both of which may be edged in bright blue.

Tank Set-Up

Golden Julies are a territorial species and require a tank that provides plenty of caves and other rockwork to establish natural territorial boundaries. These fish prefer sandy substrate and the water conditions should mimic those of their natural environment. This species is best kept in a Lake Tanganyika biotype tank with other medium-sized Lake Tanganyika Cichlids but should not be kept with conspecifics.

Feeding

Like most Julies, Golden Julies are omnivores. In the home aquarium, these fish are likely to accept a variety of foods but dried foods should be offered sparingly. Live and frozen foods should comprise the majority of their diet and algae flakes or blanched vegetables may be added to supplement the diet of these fishes.

Breeding

Golden Julies are cave spawners and are fairly easy to spawn in the home aquarium. The breeding tank should be fairly large and the water should be kept at a pH between 8.2 and 9.0 and at a temperature between 77 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The breeding pair will spawn secretely in a cave, depositing up to 100 eggs on the cave walls or roof. After spawning, the female Julie will tend to the eggs while the male guards the spawning site. Golden Julie eggs typically hatch in 2 to 3 days and, after the yolk sacs have been absorbed, they can be fed brine shrimp nauplii.