Julie Cichlid care

Julidochromis ornatus · Freshwater · Intermediate level care

A small Tanganyikan cichlid that lives among rocks and keeps one mate.

Smallest tank30 gallons

Adult size3.5 inches

Temperature75 to 80°F

pH7.8 to 9

GroupOne per tank

TemperamentSemi aggressive

SwimsBottom of the tank

Lives6 to 8 years

Watch for: They are territorial and need caves and rock piles.

Feeding

Twice a day. A small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes. Small pellets, frozen foods, flakes.

Claims a territory and guards it.

Fish that pass every check with Julie Cichlid in a 60 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.

Tinfoil Barb: Tinfoil Barb grows big enough to eat Julie Cichlid.
White Cloud Mountain Minnow: White Cloud Mountain Minnow and Julie Cichlid need different water temperatures.
Discus: Discus and Julie Cichlid need different water temperatures.
Oscar: Oscar grows big enough to eat Julie Cichlid.
Green Terror: Green Terror grows big enough to eat Julie Cichlid.
Frontosa: Frontosa grows big enough to eat Julie Cichlid.
Skunk Loach: Skunk Loach fight their own kind. Keep only one per tank.
Common Goldfish: Common Goldfish and Julie Cichlid need different water temperatures.

What size tank does a Julie Cichlid need?

At least 30 gallons. Adults grow to about 3.5 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.

What temperature does a Julie Cichlid like?

75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 7.8 to 9. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.

How many Julie Cichlid should I keep together?

Keep only one. Julie Cichlid fight their own kind.

What do Julie Cichlid eat?

Small pellets, frozen foods, flakes. Feed twice a day: a small pinch they finish in about 2 minutes.

Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.