{"product_id":"gold-ornate-julie-julidochromis-ornatus-gold","title":"Gold Ornate Julie | Julidochromis ornatus 'Gold'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Gold Ornate Julie is a tidy, characterful rock-dweller from Lake Tanganyika, its golden-yellow flanks ruled with neat black lines. Reaching around 8–10 cm, it pairs for life and patrols a chosen crevice with quiet determination. A rewarding introduction to Tanganyikan cichlids for the keeper ready to provide hard, alkaline water and plenty of rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEndemic to the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa, where it lives among piles of broken rock in hard, highly alkaline, very stable water. Each fish holds a territory of cracks and caves, rarely straying far from cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elongated, cylindrical body in warm gold, crossed by clean horizontal black stripes running from snout to tail. The fins are edged in pale blue-white, and the overall look is neat and precise. Males and females are similar, with females often a touch larger and rounder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards unrelated species but firmly territorial around its own crevice, especially as a breeding pair. It is intolerant of other Julidochromis and can squabble with its own kind, so keep a single bonded pair rather than a group in most tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA micro-predator that grazes tiny invertebrates from the rockwork. Offer a quality flake or small pellet alongside frozen brine shrimp, cyclops, mysis and bloodworm. Avoid overfeeding, as these are naturally lean, deliberate feeders.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a rocky aquascape with abundant caves and crevices, hard alkaline water and rock-stable water chemistry. Tanganyikans are sensitive to nitrate and swings in parameters, so mature filtration and consistent maintenance are essential. Plants are optional, as the fish relies on rock rather than foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawning substrate breeder. The bonded pair deposits a small clutch of eggs on the roof or wall of a crevice and guards the site closely, with fry emerging to hang near the rockwork. Pairs are devoted parents and will defend their patch vigorously.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJulidochromis ornatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGold Ornate Julie (Golden Julie)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLake Tanganyika, East Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial (pair)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150+ litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore (micro)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.0–9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–20 dGH (hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHard-water, rocky Tanganyikan aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther small to medium Tanganyikans that occupy different zones, such as shell-dwelling Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis, calvus\/compressiceps and peaceful open-water Tanganyikan cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther Julidochromis species, soft-water fish, large aggressive cichlids, and anything that will bully a slow, methodical rock-dweller.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232783515939,"sku":"AA2040-S","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232783548707,"sku":"AA2040","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232783581475,"sku":"AA2040-L","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/gold-ornate-julie-julidochro-43879825244451.webp?v=1790305551","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/gold-ornate-julie-julidochromis-ornatus-gold","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}