{"product_id":"albino-masked-julie-julidochromis-transcriptus","title":"Albino Masked Julie | Julidochromis transcriptus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Masked Julie is a charming dwarf cichlid from Lake Tanganyika, and this albino form trades its bold black tracery for soft cream markings and pink eyes. A small, pair-bonding rock-dweller of around 7 cm, it is full of character — inquisitive, closely bonded and endlessly watchable as it hugs the rockwork of a well-set-up Tanganyikan tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eJulidochromis transcriptus lives along the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, threading through cracks and caves in the rock in hard, very alkaline water. It rarely strays far from cover. A tank built with plenty of stacked rock, caves and crevices, over sand, recreates its home.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn elongated, slender cichlid that moves in a distinctive gliding, wriggling fashion close to the rocks. The albino strain shows a pale cream body with soft, faded versions of the species' dark bars and blotches, and pink-red eyes. The sexes look alike, with females often slightly larger.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards most tank mates but firmly territorial around its own patch of rock, especially as a bonded pair defending a breeding site. It can be feisty with other Julidochromis or similar cave-dwellers in a small tank. Best kept as a pair in a species tank or a well-planned Tanganyikan community with room for everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA micro-predator and carnivore. Offer quality small cichlid pellets and flake, along with frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, cyclops, daphnia and mysis. It picks food from the rocks and water and does not need large meals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 60 L for a pair, with 80 L or larger better and more stable. Keep the temperature at 22–25 °C, pH 8.0–9.0 and hardness hard and very alkaline, as befits a Tanganyikan fish. Abundant rockwork with caves is essential, and clean, stable water is important as these fish dislike sudden changes. A longer, lower tank suits them better than a tall one.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cave-spawning substrate breeder that forms lasting pairs. The pair lays a small clutch of eggs deep in a crevice and both parents guard the site; fry are often left with the parents and earlier broods may remain nearby. Given a settled pair and good water, breeding is very achievable and highly rewarding.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJulidochromis transcriptus (albino strain)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlbino Masked Julie\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa (captive-bred)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial (pair); otherwise fairly peaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: small cichlid pellets, flake, frozen and live foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–25 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.0–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard, around 12–20 dGH (Tanganyika)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTanganyikan rock aquariums and species tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes (though plants are unusual in a Tanganyikan rock setup)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other small Tanganyikan cichlids such as shell-dwelling Neolamprologus, calmer Lamprologus, Julidochromis of a different type in a large tank, and gentle open-water species like Cyprichromis.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large aggressive cichlids, boisterous mbuna, and other closely-related cave-dwellers in a small tank. Avoid soft, acidic water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232785744163,"sku":"BA8436-S","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232785776931,"sku":"BA8436","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/albino-masked-julie-julidoch-43879975682339.webp?v=1790305822","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/albino-masked-julie-julidochromis-transcriptus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}