Ornate julie

The ornate julie is a dwarf cichlid (family Cichlidae) endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It has a slender, elongated cream-to-golden body marked with dark horizontal stripes and bright fin edging, and inhabits rocky shorelines where it darts among crevices. It is territorial, especially when breeding, but not overly aggressive in a suitably sized tank. It forms strong monogamous pairs and defends a small rocky territory together. It requires a hard, alkaline aquarium with rockwork arranged to create caves and passages that mimic its Tanganyikan habitat. A carnivore, it feeds on small invertebrates and accepts frozen and prepared foods. Pairs are cave spawners that guard eggs and fry diligently, making this an accessible and rewarding Tanganyikan cichlid for intermediate keepers.