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Cichlids
/ Africa / Lake Tanganyika / Checkerboard Juli
Checkerboard Julie, Marlier's Julie
Julidochromis marlieri | Pictures
Synonyms: None
Physical description: A fish similar in body shape to
J. ornatus, although adults develop a hump
on their forehead, and the lips are of their mouth are considerably larger.
The caudal fin is fan-shaped.
The
background color is generally beige to a dull yellow-gold, with three to four brown-black lateral stripes.
Crossing
these stripes are five to eight faint, brown transverse bars, that together form a "Checkerboard" pattern.
All
these stripes and bars vary in intensity and size depending on the individual.
The fins have a brown-black background
and are spotted with small, yellow dots.
The caudal fin includes a white line that follows the edge of this
fin.
Size/Length: To 6" (15 cm) in nature, although in captivity, they rarely exceed 5" (13
cm).
Similar species: A commonly available morph of
J. regani is very similar, also Kendall's
Lamprologus (Neolamprologus
kendalli)
Habitat: Eastern Africa; found along the southwestern rocky shores of Lake Tanganyika.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 L).
Retreats for each fish are especially
important.
Otherwise follow the guidelines for
J. ornatus.
Water chemistry: pH 7.5-9.0 (8.2), 8-20 dH (16), 75-82 F (24-28 C).
Social behavior: A fish territorial towards others of its own species.
Compatible pairs are hard to come by
as they often will not be able to find a mate.
Like other
Julidochromis,
J. marlieri can be combined with other
robust Lake Tanganyika cichlids and catfish.
Once a pair forms, it is usually unstable.
The bond can easily be broken by a sudden
change in the water conditions or a tank rearrangement.
Suggested companions: Lake Tanganyika cichlids,
Synodontis, Aulonocara, Lamprichthys, Afromastacembelus
, Rainbowfish.
FOOD: Live; crustaceans, bloodworms, other insect larvae, aquatic insects,
Tubifex;
finely chopped meat; flakes; pellets; spinach.
Sexual differences: Males are smaller and when mature its genital papilla comes to a point and is aimed
toward the tail.
With the female, the genital papilla is rounded and points toward the head.
Breeding techniques: J.
marlieri can be bred in a 24" (60 cm) or 15 gallons (56 L)
tank.
Spawning is very similar to that of
J. ornatus.
Usually 70-100 eggs, although broods
exceeding 300 have been reported, are laid.
Start feeding with
Artemia and crushed dry foods.
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding is fairly easy once a compatible pair is found.
Remarks: Will pair and hybridize with
J. regani.
This species has also been crossed with
J. ornatus
to produce sterile offspring.
Difficulty of care: 6.
More aggressive than
J. ornatus.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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