Masked Julie is a freshwater fish native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It lives along the northwestern shore and likes rocky areas.
Its diet consists of tiny animals and insects found in algae.
Masked Julies usually live alone and are territorial. In an aquarium, it’s best to keep them in pairs with a tank size of at least 60 cm (around 24 inches).
Masked Julie Interesting Facts
- Masked Julie is native to Africa’s Lake Tanganyika and prefers rocky areas along the northwestern shore.
- This fish feeds on small animals and insects found in algae and grows up to 2.8 inches (7.0 centimeters) long.
- In aquariums, it’s best to keep these fish in pairs with a tank size of at least 24 inches.
- They thrive in alkaline water with a pH range of 8.5 to 9.2 and temperatures between 72°F to 77°F (22°C to 25°C).
Masked Julie Habitat
Masked Julie is native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa, specifically along the northwest shore between Luhanga and Makabola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This freshwater fish prefers to live close to the bottom of the lake (benthopelagic). It thrives in alkaline water with a pH range of 8.5 to 9.2 and a hardness range of 8 to 14 dH.
The ideal water temperature for this tropical fish is between 72°F to 77°F (22°C to 25°C). Its habitat lies between latitudes of 3°S to 6°S.
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 77°F (22°C to 25°C) |
| Water pH: | 8.5 to 9.2 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 8 to 14 dH |
Masked Julie Physical Characteristics
Size: 2.8 inches (7.0 centimeters)
Masked Julie grows up to 2.8 inches (7.0 centimeters) long.
Masked Julie Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Julidochromis |
| Scientific Name: | Julidochromis transcriptus |
| Also Known As: | Masked Julie |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |