Dickfeld's Julie (Julidochromis dickfeldi)

Dickfeld's Julie Julidochromis dickfeldi
Name	Dickfeld's Julie
Name Lat.	Julidochromis dickfeldi
Family	Cichlids
Family lat.	Cichlidae
Order	Cichlids
Order lat.	Cichliformes
Origin	Lake Tanganyika
Habitat	Rocky shore
Diet	Omnivore
pH	7.5-9.0
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Cave spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	6-8 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	8 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Hardness	15-18 °dH
Aquarium	80 cm / 110 l
US Units
Size	3"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Hardness	267-320 ppm
Aquarium	30 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Dickfeld's slender cichlids is exclusively (endemic) the southwestern part of Lake Tanganyika, between Kpamba and Ndole in Zambia. They live in the near shore rock and scree zone between stones, in crevices and caves.

Maintenance

The aquarium setup should have rocky structures reaching the water surface, with plenty of caves, crevices and shelters to provide hiding places, as well as robust plants and some free sand areas.

There should be no detectable ammonia, ammonium or nitrite, and the nitrate level should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.

Diet

They eat insect larvae and small organisms from the plant cover (growth) of stones. The food supply consists mainly of live food, such as cyclops, daphnia, artemia and black mosquito larvae, which is also accepted in frozen form, supplemented with frozen special food mixtures. In addition, some vegetable food, such as scalded leafy and wild vegetables, algae leaves or high-quality dry food with vegetable components, such as kelp and spirulina

A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only feed as much as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).

Behaviour and compatibility

They occupy small territories, which they defend vigorously against conspecifics. They should be kept in pairs or better in a group. Keeping several pairs or a group is only recommended in a larger and richly structured tank. They can be well socialized with other small and medium-sized cichlids from Lake Tanganyika

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water condition and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Males and females are colored the same. Usually the female is slightly larger. With some experience, the sexes can be distinguished by their genital papilla, which in the male is pointed and directed straight back.

Reproduction and breeding

It can take up to a year for a pair to form from a group of fry. They are cave breeders and usually attach the spawn to the cave ceiling or walls. The fry hatch after 2-3 days. The parents hardly perform any brood care, but intensively defend the breeding territory and thus protect their offspring.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.

Important

The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. The temperature should be checked daily, the pH, hardness and nitrate value at least every 14 days. A regular partial water change is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF