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Encyclopedia / African Cichlids / Ornatus julie
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Variations

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Ornatus julie

Julidochromis ornatus · Ornatus, Julidochromis ornatus, Yellow julie, Golden julie

Pairs form strong bonds; keep a single pair in a tank with rock piles and avoid aggressive tank-mates.

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9 cmBody length, without tail ✓
24–27 °CTemperature ✓
8–9pH ✓
70 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • White cloud mountain minnow needs cool water and makes a lot of waste, while Ornatus julie is tropical.
  • Rift lake cichlids like ornatus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • Giant gourami eats animals up to about 10 cm. Ornatus julie only grows to 9 cm.
  • Rift lake cichlids like ornatus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • They need different temperatures (24–27 °C vs 10–22 °C). No setting suits both.
  • Rift lake cichlids like ornatus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like ornatus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: 24–25 °C.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like ornatus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Their pH needs don't quite meet (8–9 vs 4.5–7). Aim between the two and keep it steady.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

64 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓10–25 dGH
Group size ✓2 or more
Temperament ✓Semi-aggressive
Swims at ?All levels
Care level ?Hard
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ?Unknown
Size in shops 3–6 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Pairs form strong bonds; keep a single pair in a tank with rock piles and avoid aggressive tank-mates.

  • cave

Food

Cichlid pellets, frozen brine shrimp, daphnia and small flakes.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Females are larger; males have a longer, more pointed genital papilla.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Cave spawner (pair bond) · Moderate

Cave spawner; the female lays eggs on the wall or roof of a cave and the pair guards eggs and fry.

Pairing

Buy a group of 6 and let a pair form, or buy a proven pair; keep a pair per tank to avoid fights.

Setup

100-150 L tank with rock piles creating narrow caves and slits, hard alkaline water (pH 8-9) and strong filtration.

What starts it

Stable pair bond, good conditioning and a cave that fits the female.

Eggs

Up to 100 eggs but usually far fewer, laid on the cave wall or roof; they hatch in 2-3 days.

Raising the fry

Fry hide in the cave and become free swimming after a week. Feed microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp; parents tolerate and often protect them.

Common mistakes
  • Mixing several pairs in a small tank
  • Giving caves that are too big
  • Using soft water
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionLake Tanganyika – northern and southern parts
Rivers and lakesLake Tanganyika
HabitatRocky shores
Native rangeAbout 400 km across
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The story of the ornatus julie

Described by Boulenger in 1898, this small yellow-and-black striped julie is one of the most common Julidochromis in the hobby, also sold as Yellow or Ornate Julie. A single pair fits a 70 L tank. Listed Near Threatened by IUCN (2025).

Boulenger described this small julie in 1898. It shows a golden body with dark lengthwise stripes. It breeds in rock crevices, guarding its young for long periods.

First described by George A. Boulenger in 1898.

  • It is one of the smaller julies, usually under 9 cm.
  • Separate populations are known from the north and south of the lake.
  • Young from several spawns may live together in the parents' territory.

Sources

15 facts checked with sources