The Julidochromis dickfeldi, commonly known as Dickfeld's Julie or Brown Julie, is a captivating and relatively peaceful cichlid species endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They are prized for their elegant patterns and interesting social behaviours, making them a popular choice for cichlid enthusiasts.
Physical Characteristics:
- They possess an elongated, torpedo-shaped body with a generally white to light brownish-gold base colour.
- Their most striking feature is the presence of three distinct, broken horizontal black bands that extend from the head to the tail. The lowest band characteristically wraps around their face.
- Males can develop a vibrant blue sheen on their fins as they mature.
- They typically reach a size of 8-11 cm (3-4.3 inches), with females sometimes growing slightly larger and more robust than males, although this isn't always definitive.
Distribution and Habitat:
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Julidochromis dickfeldi is found exclusively in Lake Tanganyika, specifically in the southwestern part near Zambia.
- They inhabit rocky shorelines with plenty of crevices, cracks, and caves, which provide shelter and breeding sites.
Behaviour and Compatibility:
- They are generally considered peaceful compared to many other African cichlids, especially towards tank mates that are not other Julidochromis species.
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Julidochromis dickfeldi can be territorial, particularly when forming breeding pairs. They will establish and defend small areas around their chosen cave or rock crevice.
- It's best to keep them in pairs or small groups in a sufficiently sized tank with ample hiding places to minimize aggression.
- They can be housed with other small to medium-sized, peaceful Tanganyikan cichlids with similar water requirements, such as Neolamprologus, Altolamprologus, and Cyprichromis species. Avoid housing them with larger, aggressive fish.
- They should not be kept with other Julidochromis species as they can hybridize.
Aquarium Care:
- Tank Size: A minimum of 70-90 liters (around 20-25 gallons) is recommended for a pair. Larger tanks are necessary for groups. A longer tank with a good footprint is more important than height.
- Substrate: A sandy or fine gravel substrate is ideal.
- Décor: Provide plenty of rockwork arranged to create numerous caves, crevices, and hiding places. This mimics their natural habitat and is crucial for their well-being and to reduce aggression.
- Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 24-27°C (75-81°F)
- pH: 7.8-9.0 (hard, alkaline water is essential)
- Hardness: 18-30 dGH
- Filtration: Efficient filtration is necessary to maintain excellent water quality.
- Water Changes: Regular weekly water changes of 25-30% are important to keep nitrate levels low and maintain stable water parameters.
Feeding:
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Julidochromis dickfeldi are omnivores with a preference for meaty foods.
- They readily accept high-quality flake and pellet foods, as well as live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, Mysis shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.
- A varied diet will help maintain their health and coloration. Feed small portions 1-2 times daily.
Breeding:
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Julidochromis dickfeldi are cave spawners and typically form strong, monogamous pair bonds.
- To encourage breeding, provide a tank with ample caves and rock formations.
- The female will lay her eggs inside a chosen cave, often on the underside of a rock or the cave ceiling.
- Both parents exhibit excellent parental care, diligently guarding the eggs and fry.
- The eggs typically hatch within a few days, and the fry become free-swimming after about a week.
- The fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp or other small live foods.
- Interestingly, in some cases, older offspring may stay and help protect subsequent broods.
Sexing:
- Sexing Julidochromis dickfeldi can be challenging, especially when they are young.
- Females are sometimes reported to be slightly larger and more rounded than males, but this is not always a reliable indicator.
- Males may develop a more pronounced blue sheen on their fins as they mature.
- Observing their behaviour during pairing and breeding is often the most reliable way to determine their sex.
Julidochromis dickfeldi are a rewarding species to keep for aquarists interested in the unique cichlids of Lake Tanganyika. Their manageable size, peaceful nature (within their species boundaries), and fascinating breeding behaviours make them a captivating addition to a well-maintained aquarium.
