Where to Buy Gold Julie Cichlid

The Gold Julie Cichlid, also known as Julidochromis ornatus, is a striking freshwater fish species from Lake Tanganyika. This small cichlid is appreciated for its golden-yellow body adorned with jet-black horizontal lines and elegant fin extensions. It’s one of the most eye-catching members of the Julidochromis genus and a standout for aquarists building Tanganyikan biotope aquariums or seeking uniquely patterned species for community setups.

Captive-bred Gold Julies are now available at Pacific Fish Depot, shipped with quality assurance and expert handling.

Appearance and Behavior

The Gold Julie features a golden or cream-colored body enhanced by bold, contrasting horizontal black stripes that run from the snout to the caudal peduncle. It usually grows to about 3 inches, with males and females similar in appearance — though females may be slightly larger and more robust.

Known for their curious and observant nature, these cichlids often hover in rocky crevices, darting out with precision to explore their surroundings. They can be territorial but are generally peaceful when housed correctly and given ample structure.

Tank Setup for Success

The Gold Julie Cichlid thrives in aquariums that replicate the rocky shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, where they inhabit crevices and vertical surfaces.

Recommended tank parameters:

• Tank Size: 30 gallons or larger for pairs

• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)

• pH: 8.0–9.0

• Water Hardness: 10–20 dGH

• Décor: Rocks, slate caves, vertical surfaces

• Substrate: Fine sand or crushed coral

These fish require hard, alkaline water and do best with stable parameters. Avoid adding them to fluctuating environments. Rocks should be stacked securely to prevent collapse during digging or spawning activity.

Diet and Feeding Routine

In the wild, Gold Julies feed on small invertebrates and algae scraped from rocks. In aquariums, they thrive on a high-quality carnivorous diet that’s easy to digest and replicates their natural intake.

Best food choices include:

• Cichlid pellets (small size)

• Frozen or live brine shrimp

• Daphnia and cyclops

• Bloodworms (sparingly)

• Crushed krill or mysis shrimp

Feed once or twice per day in quantities they can finish within 1–2 minutes. Uneaten food can foul water quickly, especially in smaller tanks.

Tank Mates and Compatibility

Gold Julies do well in species tanks or Tanganyikan community setups. They’re territorial toward other Julidochromis but can coexist peacefully with fish that inhabit other tank zones.

Compatible tank mates include:

• Neolamprologus brichardi

• Shell dwellers (Neolamprologus multifasciatus)

• Cyprichromis species

• Small Synodontis catfish

Avoid aggressive mbuna or large Central/South American cichlids. These fish prefer calm tankmates and defined territories.

Breeding and Courtship

Gold Julies are substrate spawners. Once a bonded pair forms, they choose a rocky crevice or cave to lay their eggs. The female guards the eggs while the male protects the general area. Once fry hatch, they often remain close to the nesting site, and in optimal conditions, several generations of fry can coexist in one tank.

Courtship is subtle but can be observed through tail-shaking, nudging, and slow parallel swimming.

You can learn more about their behavior and natural habitat via the Seriously Fish profile, a verified resource used by hobbyists and scientists alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are Gold Julie Cichlids aggressive?
They are semi-territorial but relatively peaceful, especially in well-structured environments with clearly defined zones.

2. How do I tell males from females?
Females are often slightly larger and rounder. However, the difference is subtle, and behavior is a better indicator.

3. Will they breed in a home aquarium?
Yes, they form monogamous pairs and breed readily when provided with hiding spots and stable water parameters.

4. Can I keep more than one pair?
Only in larger tanks (40+ gallons) with plenty of rockwork to create separate territories.

5. Do they dig in the substrate?
Minimal digging. Most of their territorial focus is vertical and around rock caves rather than the substrate.