Masked julie

Where they come from

Masked julies (Julidochromis transcriptus) come from Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Theyre a rock-dwelling cichlid that spends its life weaving through cracks, caves, and rubble piles along the shoreline. If you build the tank like a mini cliffside, they act way more natural and a lot less cranky.

Setting up their tank

Think rocks first, everything else second. These fish want a maze of tight spaces, not open water. I get the best behavior when there are multiple little territories so they can pick a home and feel secure.

• Tank size: 20 long can work for a single pair, but 30+ gallons makes life easier (less drama, more stable water).
• Hardscape: stacks of rock with lots of narrow gaps, plus a few caves. Give them more hiding spots than you think you need.
• Substrate: sand or fine gravel. Theyll dig a bit but theyre not bulldozers like some Malawi cichlids.
• Water: hard, alkaline Tanganyika-style. Aim for pH around 8-9 and steady temps around 76-80F.
• Filtration: strong and steady, but dont blast their caves directly with current. They like flow, just not a sandstorm in their living room.
• Lighting: moderate is fine. If its bright, add rock overhangs or darker corners so they can chill.

Plants arent required. Most Tanganyika setups are rock and sand, and thats totally fine. If you want green, stick to tough stuff like Anubias attached to rocks, but dont be surprised if it gets shaded out by your rockwork.

What to feed them

Masked julies are small predators that pick at tiny crustaceans and insect larvae in the wild. In the aquarium, they do best on meaty foods sized for their mouths. Theyre not picky once settled, but they do appreciate variety.

• Staple: a quality small sinking cichlid pellet or granule (they like food that drops into the rocks).
• Frozen: brine shrimp, mysis, cyclops, daphnia. Rotate a couple through the week.
• Live (optional): baby brine shrimp is great, especially if youre conditioning a pair or raising fry.
• Treats: chopped krill or prawn very occasionally, but keep it small and not too often.

How they behave and who they get along with

Theyre classic Tanganyika cave cichlids: curious, a little nosy, and more territorial than their size suggests. A bonded pair will claim a rock pile and defend it like its a castle. Outside the territory, theyre usually pretty calm.

• Best kept as: a single pair, or a small group in a larger tank with lots of rockwork (groups can be tricky).
• Good tankmates: other Tanganyika species that use different zones, like shell dwellers (Neolamprologus multifasciatus/similis) or open-water fish like Cyprichromis in bigger tanks.
• Use caution with: other Julidochromis or similar rock cichlids in small tanks. Territory overlap turns into constant chasing.
• Avoid: aggressive bruisers and fin nippers, and anything tiny enough to be seen as food.

Breeding tips

If you give them caves and stable water, theyll often breed without you trying too hard. Theyre cave spawners. The pair lays eggs deep in a crevice, and both parents usually guard the area. One fun thing with julies is youll sometimes see multiple sizes of fry hanging around the same rock pile.

• Give them a tight spawning site: a narrow cave, rock crack, or a small piece of PVC hidden under rocks.
• Condition with: frozen foods and small pellets, but dont overfeed.
• Leave the parents if the tank is calm: they often do a solid job guarding and herding fry.
• Feed fry: baby brine shrimp, finely crushed flakes/powder, and cyclops once they can take it.

Common problems to watch for

Most issues with masked julies come from either the wrong vibe (not enough rocks, too many similar cichlids) or water that swings around. Theyre tougher than people think, but they hate instability.

• Aggression in small tanks: a pair can bully tankmates hard if territories overlap. Add more rock cover or change stocking.
• Hiding nonstop: often a sign of too much open space, too much light, or tankmates that keep cruising their caves.
• Bloat/constipation: usually from overfeeding rich foods or not enough variety. Cut back, offer lighter foods like daphnia, and keep water clean.
• Ich or other parasites after purchase: Tanganyika fish can arrive stressed. Quarantine helps a lot if you can swing it.
• Rock pile detritus: food and waste collect in the caves. Vacuum around rock bases during water changes and keep flow moving through the scape.