Julidochromis ornatus
Julidochromis ornatus lives in the wild in Lake Tanganyika, Africa. The fish are found among the rocky shores. These fish are the most commonly kept aquaristically among the other Julidochromis species. These cichlids can be recommended for novice aquarists.
Julidochromis ornatus has an elongated body, yellow in colour with rows of longitudinal strips of dark colour. The dorsal fin extends from the head to the root of the tail plumage, the remaining fins are elongated. Sexual differences are not expressed. Mature females are larger than males. The maximum size of fish is 8 cm.
Julidochromis ornatus are generally peaceful fish, provided that no one claims their territory. Can be kept in a common aquarium with other fish species that occupy the upper layers of water. Keep the fish in pairs. It should be noted that these fish are characterized by strong family ties and once formed, the pair is kept for life. For one pair of fish needed aquarium volume of 80 liters.
Water parameters: temperature 23-27° C, hardness dH 10-25°, pH pH 7,5-9,0. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly substitution of 1/5 of the aquarium water with fresh.
Substrate preferably in the form of sand or fine gravel. At the bottom to arrange a large number of different-sized stones, which as much as possible simulate natural conditions inhabited by fish.
Medium light with an intensity of about 0.3 Watt/L. Light duration approx. 10-12 hours per day.
The diet of the fish consists of live and frozen food such as Artemia nauplii, daphnia and chironomid moths. The fish will also eat dried food containing spirulina. Plant food such as chopped spinach or lettuce is also desirable. Dry food should not be the mainstay of the fish diet. The fish should be fed twice a day.
Reproduction
The Julidochromis ornatus breed in the aquarium, but it will require some patience. For successful breeding, it is advisable to acquire a group of young fish and allow them to form pairs naturally. Remove the other fish from the tank as soon as a pair has been formed, which may take a year or longer. Buying adult fish does not guarantee that between them over time to form a pair, but on the contrary, very often the male begins to stalk the female and often beat her to death.
The fish pair leads a secretive lifestyle, preferring to hide in a cave. During spawning, the female lays up to 100 eggs on the walls of the shelter. The female takes care of the eggs and the male guards the area around the cave. The larvae hatch after 2-3 days.
The fry feed on the substances in their yolk sacs for the first few days of life, after which they are fed with artemia nauplii. The parents care for the fry for a fairly long time until they reach a length of about 2.5 cm. After that, it is advisable to transfer the fry to another aquarium.
