All fish / Cichlidae

Mark Smith's julie

Julidochromis marksmithi

Also known as marksmithi julie, black julie, julidochromis regani kipili, julie cichlid, ジュリドクロミス・マークスミシ, 黑间帝王

A slim, torpedo-like Tanganyikan cichlid with bold dark horizontal bands on a pale yellowish to white body and dark fins edged in pale blue. It is kept for its striking looks, interesting pair behaviour and for being one of the smaller, more manageable julies for a rock-filled tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

7.8 to 9

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

One pair, or a pair with other Tanganyikan rock dwellers

Diet

Omnivore: quality cichlid pellets and flakes, frozen brine shrimp, mysis and small crustaceans

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lake Tanganyika (southern Zambian and Tanzanian shores)

Breeding

A cave spawner that forms monogamous pairs and lays eggs on the ceiling of a crevice, with both parents guarding the fry for weeks. Breeding is fairly easy once a compatible pair has formed, and several generations of young can live alongside the parents.

Good to know

Pairs become very territorial when spawning and may attack tankmates or even a mate, so provide plenty of rockwork and caves. It can hybridise with other Julidochromis species, so avoid mixing them.