Marlier’s Julie, also known as Spotted Julie or Chequered Julie, is a type of cichlid fish found only in the northwestern part of Lake Tanganyika. It prefers rocky shorelines and deep waters.
Marlier’s Julies are strong and peaceful toward other species and are very smart. They are microfeeders and not meat-eaters.
In their natural habitat, these fish stay in deep water and don’t come to the surface for food. They mostly live among rocks and rarely swim in open water away from rock cover.
These fish breed in crevices and caves. Marlier’s Julie usually forms monogamous pairs when breeding.
Marlier’s Julie Interesting Facts
- Marlier’s Julie (Julidochromis marlieri) is a cichlid fish native to northwestern Lake Tanganyika.
- Females are larger than males and grow up to 5.1 inches (13.0 centimeters) long.
- These fish prefer deep water and rocky shorelines and breed in crevices or caves.
- They can be monogamous or polyandrous, with females sometimes having two territories with a male in each.
Marlier’s Julie Habitat
Marlier’s Julie, also known by its scientific name Julidochromis marlieri, is a type of fish found in the northwestern part of Lake Tanganyika in Africa.
This freshwater fish lives near the bottom of the lake and prefers a pH range between 7.5 to 9.0. The ideal water hardness for this fish is up to 12 dH.
Marlier’s Julies are typically found at depths of 3 to 9 meters (10 to 30 feet) and prefer water temperatures between 72°F to 77°F (22°C to 25°C).
Their natural habitat lies within tropical regions, around latitudes from 3°S to 6°S longitude and approximately at a longitude of about 30°E.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 77°F (22°C to 25°C) |
| Water pH: | 7.5 to 9.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Marlier’s Julie Physical Characteristics
Size: 5.1 inches (13.0 centimeters)
Marlier’s Julie grows up to 5.1 inches (13.0 centimeters) long, with adult females growing larger than males.
Marlier’s Julie Reproduction
A study shows that Marlier’s Julie can be both monogamous and polyandrous. Sometimes, a female has two territories with a male in each.
This idea was first proposed by Yamagishi and Kohda in 1996. However, most commonly, this fish forms monogamous pairs.
Males protect the nest from predators, including both cichlid and non-cichlid attackers.
Marlier’s Julie Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Julidochromis |
| Scientific Name: | Julidochromis marlieri |
| Also Known As: | Marlier’s Julie, Spotted Julie, Chequered Julie |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |