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Encyclopedia / African Cichlids / Transcriptus julie
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Variations

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Transcriptus julie

Julidochromis transcriptus · Transcriptus, Julidochromis transcriptus, Black and white julie, Buescher's julie

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

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7 cmAdult size ✓
22–25 °CTemperature ✓
8.5–9.2pH ✓
55 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • They need very different water (pH 8.5–9.2 vs 5–7).
  • Rift lake cichlids like transcriptus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • They need very different water (pH 8.5–9.2 vs 4.5–7).
  • Rift lake cichlids like transcriptus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
Not recommended
  • They need very different water (pH 8.5–9.2 vs 6–7).
  • Rift lake cichlids like transcriptus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like transcriptus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Their pH needs don't quite meet (8.5–9.2 vs 5.5–7.5). Aim between the two and keep it steady.
With conditions
  • Rift lake cichlids like transcriptus julie need hard, alkaline water and a busy, cichlid-only tank.
  • Their pH needs don't quite meet (8.5–9.2 vs 5.5–7.5). Aim between the two and keep it steady.
Compatible
Compatible
Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓8–14 dGH
Group size ✓2 or more
Temperament ✓Semi-aggressive
Swims at ?All levels
Care level ?Moderate
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

MaleSlightly smaller; pointed genital papilla
FemaleUsually larger; blunt papilla
TipFemales are generally the larger of a pair; vent shape at spawning is the reliable clue
How hard to tellHard

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 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

20-40 eggs stuck to the cave roof or wall, hatching in about 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 – north-western part
Rivers and lakesLake Tanganyika (DR Congo and Burundi coasts)
HabitatRocky shores
Native rangeAbout 150 km across
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The story of the transcriptus julie

Described by Matthes in 1959, the masked julie is the smallest Julidochromis and lives only along a short stretch of the northwestern Lake Tanganyika shore in DR Congo. IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered (2025).

Hubert Matthes described this small julie in 1959. It is one of the smallest Julidochromis. Its dark body with pale markings sets it apart from other julies.

First described by Hubert Matthes in 1959.

  • Adults reach only about 7 cm.
  • Like other julies, it swims upright along rock faces and crevices.
  • It lives in pairs and guards its young among rocks.

Sources

12 facts checked with sources