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Encyclopedia / African Cichlids / Regan's julie
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Variations

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Regan's julie

Julidochromis regani · Regani, Julidochromis regani, Striped julie

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

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13 cmAdult size ✓
24–27 °CTemperature ✓
8–9pH ✓
100 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
Check your own mix →
Not recommended
  • White cloud mountain minnow needs cool water and makes a lot of waste, while Regan's julie is tropical.
  • Rift lake cichlids like regan's 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 regan's julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • They need very different water (pH 8–9 vs 5–6).
  • Rift lake cichlids like regan's julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like regan's 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 regan's 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

68 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 4–7 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 spawning often goes unnoticed until fry appear.

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 300 eggs, usually fewer, laid on the wall or roof of a cave.

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
Rivers and lakesLake Tanganyika
HabitatRock-sand transitions
Native rangeAbout 400 km across
See it on the world map

The story of the regan's julie

Described by Poll in 1942, Regan's julie is the largest of the commonly kept julies and is widespread in Lake Tanganyika, where it ventures over sand more than its rock-bound relatives. It is also sold as Striped Julie or Convict Julie. Males and females look alike; females grow larger.

Max Poll described this julie in 1942, honouring Charles Tate Regan of the British Museum. It is a relatively large, striped julie. It spawns in caves under rocks.

First described by Max Poll in 1942. Named for Named after British ichthyologist C. Tate Regan.

  • It has four dark stripes along the body.
  • It is one of the larger julies, about 12 cm.
  • Pairs often dig caves under stones for spawning.

Sources

15 facts checked with sources