ATKINSON

A guy is selling a pair of Julies along with their fry and a caruleus (spelling). I have never owned them before and am wondering if anyone has any experience with them? The guy is selling them to the petshop on the weekend if I dont take them.

alicem

There are several type of Lake Tankganykia Julidochromis.
I have 2 J. transcriptus and 1 is the meanest little thing. I also have J. regani in a reverse trio (1 f / 2 m).
The female regani is very peaceful and allows the males to live with her.
They are all around 1 yr. old and have not bred.

So, not from experience, but my opinion is if these have spawned and produced fry, they would do it again, provided
you give them proper water params, temp, rocks and shells.

The labidochromis caeruleus (yellow lab or electric yellow, for short) is from Lake Malawi.
I suppose the julies can hold thier own against it, esp. if they are the larger spec. Julies (marlieri or regani).

It's just that the caeruleus may be able to eat the smaller ones (J. transcriptus, ornatus or dickfeldi).
Are these African cichlids housed together now?

Angela_96

I would not put a lab in the tank with the Julies. They are not compatable.

As for spawning just keep the pH/hardness, water parameters correct. Ad hiding spots and they will spaw.

ATKINSON

They are together already but I can just get the 2 Julies and fry seperate. They are J.Dickfeldi

alicem

If you can get the dickfeldi separately, that would be the best.
They are, from what I've heard, pretty peaceful.
Are you setting them up in their own tank?

Shawnie

I thought they were cories..and wondered why they were in the cichlid section ...gotta love my brunette moments

ATKINSON

haha, Shawnie. I think it would be best to put them in their own tank. Does anyone know how well they look after there fry? Prefered ph, temperature.etc for spawning?

alicem

Well-luh... they are both black and white fish.
It is funny about the names.
Isn't it from the person that discovers the specie, then they put a Latin twist to the name?
alicem

alicem

Here's a link for you, they actually address these questions under "breeding":
http://www.gcca.net/fom/Julidochromis_dickfeldi.htm
hth,
alicem

ATKINSON

Thanks that helped alot.

alicem

Glad to help.
I'm curious. Did you get the dickfeldi? How are they doing?
alicem

ATKINSON

Geez, everyone is very friendly on fishlore. It amazes me. Not yet but when I said I was able to come on Tuesday he said it was fine so I will get them on Tuesday. Cant wait!! Might buy a 400L tank there too if it is nice enough.

alicem

I agree. I found this site not too long ago and have really enjoyed the people here.
Woot! Very nice.
If they are fussy with each other at first, don't be discouraged. Give them time and some hiding places.
They should settle down soon enough and get back to the business of producing fry.
That's over 100 gallon.
I hope he gives you a good deal. Be sure to look it over really well.
Most light scratches in the glass vanish once it's filled with water.
Remember to check out the silicone seams and it would be nice if it had water in to assure you of no leaks...

In any case, best of luck to you!
alicem

ATKINSON

Thanks, I think that the Julies and caruleus will be in there when I get it so can check for leaks, cracks,etc.

ATKINSON

Guess what, I got the tank and fish. I know its probably not the best thing to put julies with the yellow lab but for the meantime its do-able. The tank is just very dirty with algae. etc so will only put fish in tommorrow with old sand and filter material so that I dont break the cycle.

ATKINSON

I moved my julies breeding pair to a 60L tank. And managed to sell the few other Julies. (5-6) And now am left with 1 very skittish male yellow lab and a sail fin pleco. I am thinking of adding another 3 yellow labs and some other cichlids. What other cichlids do you guys recommend?

alicem

In your 400 liter, relatively "peaceful" Malawi mbuna.
Here are some tank mate suggestions to consider:

Mixed color tank:
(choose 4 of the 5 species)
5 "Yellow labs" Labidochromis caeruleus (yellow w/ black dorsal fin)
5 "Rustys" Iodotropheus sprengerae (rust color)
5 Pseudotropheus socolofi (medium blue w/ black dorsal fin)
5 Cynotilapia afra (blue w/ dark vertical stripes)
5 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (blue-ish purple w/ yellow tails)

or

Yellow and purple/blue tank:
12 Yellow labs (yellow)
10 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (blue-ish purple w/ yellow tails)
5 synodontis multipunctatus catfish

Maybe you'll get more suggestions from the other members.

alicem

Angela_96

To go with yellow labs I would make sure the ratio is correct (1 male to 2+ females).
Then I would pick fish from there, you can go with one from each here: Which would be one group of mets, one group of afra, one group of mel, one group of labs. For a 100g tank you can have around 20 cichlids.

For the met groups you have fish like red zebras, kenyi, cobalt zebras, red top zebras, greshaki.
You already have a group of labs.
For psuedo group there is psuedo saulsi, psuedo acei, psuedo polits.
For the afra there is hai reef, cobue.
For melachromis there is johanni, auartus. (warning these are extremly aggressive fish!)

With my yellow labs I have 1 breeding group of them, 1 kenyi group, a psuedo "cheif" still yet to be id'd.... I am adding mel johanni's this evening if my delivery gets here on time.
I have hongi labs in a tank to themselves right now.
In my polit tank there is a group of those guys, cobalt blues, afra hai reefs and getting a group of met red zebra (pearls) they are the "o" variation. I have one female now, I am getting a male and female to go with her.

ATKINSON

Thanks alot guys, I think I will get 2 females and 1 male yellow lab(I think mine is a female) and then in 10 days I will get more cichlids(going away for a week).

Angela_96

With stocking cichlids you can put in up to 5 at a time, its easier on them to adjust to the territories. But of coarse if you are going out of town, waiting would be best so you can watch your ph, ammonia, etc

ATKINSON

That and I dont have enough cash at the moment, have to wait for start of next month for more cichlids... Otherwise I would have my whole tank stocked by now...HAHA

Angela_96

lol I know how that goes...
I ordered some from aquabid and that will be my limit for a while. Unless someone buys my biocube this weekend... Then I am going to finish my list once and for all of Mbuna.
Then start on my discus setup.

ATKINSON

Me too... Saving up for Cichlids then Discus. Previous purchase: 2 days ago: 3 clown loaches...