Julidochromis Dickfeldi

By David Midgley - Julidochromis dickfeldi is one of the smaller Julidochromis spp commonly available. It is also one of the more peaceful. In other Julidochromis spp. unpaired fish are often killed by the pair - however, J. dickfeldi is less hostile towards unpaired individuals. These individuals should, however, be removed for their own health.

Although there is no vegetation in the habitat J. dickfeldi inhabit in the wild, they can readily be kept with plants in home aquaria. Plants that tolerate hard alkaline water include Anubias spp. and Java fern. Biotype tanks should have numerous rocks and these should fit closely together to create a network of vertical and horizontal crevices, the width of which should be only marginally bigger than the julies themselves. Breeding tanks can be kept relatively bare with a number of overturned flowerpots. These flowerpots can be placed face down on the substrate, two extra holes (diameter 2cm) can be drilled with a ceramic drill bit. These fish can be quite nervous (and are more prone to vicous behaviour if nervous) so multiple hiding places are required to make the fish feel comfortable. Breeding tanks should not be bare bottomed - and should be covered either with sand or fine gravel.

Species: Julidochromis dickfeldi (Staeck, 1975)

Synoma: none.

Common name: none.

Origin: Lake Tanganjika

Localities/Morphs: occurs exclusively in the southwestern corner of Lk. Tanganjika, in the nothern border of Sumbu National Park and close by in Zaire (Linke and Staeck, 1996).

Maximum size: 8-10cm

Natural habitat: rocky areas, in water depth between two and six metres. In the wild they do not stray far from their rocky habitat.

Natural foods/prey: mosquito and other insect larvae.

Water chemistry in the wild: pH > 8.0; gH - > 8 ° kH - > 8 °.

Predators: larger fish.

Brood size: 20-40 eggs

Sexual dimorphism: none. Males and females are almost identical. Some reports indicate the female is generally bigger.

Breeding method: Secretive cave spawner.

Husbandry requirements

Minimum tank size: for a single pair 2′ - 3′

Sex ratio: 1m:1f

Tolerance of conspecifics: Pairs will bully other individuals if hiding places are not provided.

Tolerance of heterospecifics: Good. J. dickfeldi is remarkably tolerant of other cichlids. Best kept in a species aquarium, however suitable other species for large community aquaria include Chalinochomris, Telmatochomis and small Neolamprologus spp.

Water chemistry in aquaria: hard alkaline water is ideal. Water changes of 25-30% should be performed at least fortnightly.

Temperature range: 23 - 28 ° C.

Foods accepted: Unfussy feeder - will accept flake, pelletted, frozen and or live foods.

Special requirements: none other than water chemistry.

There are numerous reports of a ’step-breeding’ pattern in J. dickfeldi. This appears to be unusual as other Julidochromis species will not tolerate older fry in their territories. To date, these reports seem to indicate that the older fry ignore the younger fry and do not play a role in defending their younger siblings (as happens in Neolamprologus brichardi and N. pulcher).

Being one of two species of Julidochomis I have personally bred (the other being J. ornatus) I can heartily recommend J. dickfeldi to both beginner aquarists and advanced cichlid hobbyists. The interesting social behaviours of this species make them a joy to keep. Ideal for anyone who to really enjoys watching their cichlids.

References:
Linke, H. and Staeck W. (1996). African cichlids II: Cichlids from Eastern Africa. A handbook for their identification, care and breeding. Tetra Press.