{"product_id":"julidochromis-marlieri-julidochromis-marlieri","title":"Julidochromis marlieri | Julidochromis marlieri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarlier's Julie is the largest of the Julidochromis, a handsome Lake Tanganyika rock-dweller wearing a bold checkerboard of cream and black. It rules its rockwork with quiet confidence, hanging and gliding through ledges rather than swimming in open water. A long-lived, characterful pair fish, it reaches around 13–15 cm and is best kept in a spacious rocky aquascape.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eJulidochromis marlieri is endemic to the rocky coastlines of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It occupies steep boulder faces and deep crevices in the hard, alkaline, mineral-rich lake water, where it forms territories among the rocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn elongated body patterned with a striking grid of dark bars and blotches over a pale cream-to-white ground — the \"checkerboard\" that distinguishes it from its more strictly striped relatives. Fins are trimmed with pale blue. Regional forms vary in adult size and pattern intensity. Sexes look alike, with females often slightly larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTerritorial around its chosen rockwork, particularly a breeding pair, but generally calm toward unrelated tank mates. It can be assertive with its own species, so keep a single bonded pair and give plenty of rock structure. In a large tank it coexists well with other Tanganyikan cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivorous micropredator. It grazes aufwuchs and hunts small invertebrates in the wild. Feed a quality small pellet or flake supplemented with frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp and cyclops. A varied diet keeps its colours and condition strong.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide at least 120 litres with generous rockwork, caves and crevices over a fine substrate. Hard, alkaline water (pH around 8.0–9.0) is essential, along with stable parameters, efficient filtration and regular water changes. Once the water chemistry is right it is a hardy, undemanding fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA cave-spawner that forms durable pair bonds. The pair deposits eggs deep in a crevice and both parents guard the brood; fry are often tolerated within the territory, gradually forming a small family group. Breeding is straightforward in a well-run Tanganyikan tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJulidochromis marlieri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarlier's Julie (Checkerboard 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\u003e13–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerritorial (as a 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\u003e120 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 (small pellet, flake, frozen foods)\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\u003e10–20 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\u003eRocky Lake Tanganyika 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 (does not eat plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther hard-water Tanganyikans — shell-dwelling and rock-dwelling Neolamprologus, calvus and compressiceps, Cyprichromis in the open water, and Synodontis multipunctatus. Choose peaceful to moderately assertive species of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft-water community fish, aggressive Malawi mbuna, large predators, and other Julidochromis in a tank too small to give each pair its own territory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232784531747,"sku":null,"price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232784564515,"sku":"AA2534","price":21.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232784597283,"sku":null,"price":26.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Marlier_s_Julie_Julidochromis_marlieri_27b2dcfa-b5e6-4438-80de-a7790d1ae406.jpg?v=1781446529","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/julidochromis-marlieri-julidochromis-marlieri","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}