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This is my first impressions of Julidochromis marlierI a Cichlid from Lake Tanganyika.
Little background first. Before deciding to do a Tanganyikan tank, my stocking plan went in so many directions. I knew for sure when I got back into the hobby I had to have Kribs, Rummys, Rasboras, Tiger Barbs, and Celebes Rainbows. But after awhile, the thought of doing another community tank was kind of boring especily since Ive kept them, and wanted something different.
So I changed my mind and became interested in Rock Kribensis. Then I became interested in Apistogrammas, especially Borelli, Agassizii, and Cocatuidadies. Then, I came across Shell Dweller Cichlids and other fish from Lake Tanganyika. These fish are so interesting, and facinating, I was hooked. After hours, days, weeks, and months of research I finally decided to go with a Tanganyikan setup.
Now that is out of the way...on to the Juli.
First I want to thank Tiny_Tanganyikans who was a great help in helping decide on which fish to go with and stocking levels. I also want to thank Lchi87 for some great ideas on scaping my tank. Not quite done with it, but getting there. Thanks again for your time and patience it's greatly appreciated.
I have a 75 gallon tank that has only one JulI by itself, I am picking up 3 more today...and then will add some Neolamprologus multifasciatus, I'm still not sure about my mid swimmers, or if I will get any. As you can see in the picture, it is less than an inch long, with almost a checker board pattern, and with a faint hint of blue on the outer edges on the fins. These colors should enhance as it gets older.
This fish is facinating to watch. It swims around in an almost jittery kind of way. Think of little torpedoes that move like Hummingbirds. I love the way it darts in and out of the rocks, and how it can even hang upside-down hugging the rocks. It is always in search of food and far it seems to like pellets, and once I get more, I will try frozen and mix in live food.
Another thing I've noticed is that it became very comfortable right away when I put it in the tank, and now has set up territory in two specific areas of the tank near the rocks and away form them as well. The territory it set up away from the rocks is kind of a surprise to me since I know they feel very safe close to rocks and caves. But will chalk it up to the fact it's alone and no competition or fear of predators. I'm sure a lot will change when I add the other three. So I will have to rearrange the decor again to establish new territories.
Even though it is by itself, it is very active and curious but at times can be a little jittery and will dart with lightning speed into the rocks for safety. But expected since it is alone.
I think this is a perfect fish to start a Lake Tanganyika tank, especially if you are like me and kind of bored with the average Tetras, Danios, Barbs, Loaches, etc etc that are normal.
Now...depending on how you source your fish, they can be very expensive. The one MarlierI that I bought from my lfs was 25$, and for a single MultI they wanted 30$. For Dickfeldis they wanted 27$, and for Ornatus, they were going for 60$. Luckily I found somewhere where I can get them much, much cheaper.
As my tank gets established I will update every so often.
Little background first. Before deciding to do a Tanganyikan tank, my stocking plan went in so many directions. I knew for sure when I got back into the hobby I had to have Kribs, Rummys, Rasboras, Tiger Barbs, and Celebes Rainbows. But after awhile, the thought of doing another community tank was kind of boring especily since Ive kept them, and wanted something different.
So I changed my mind and became interested in Rock Kribensis. Then I became interested in Apistogrammas, especially Borelli, Agassizii, and Cocatuidadies. Then, I came across Shell Dweller Cichlids and other fish from Lake Tanganyika. These fish are so interesting, and facinating, I was hooked. After hours, days, weeks, and months of research I finally decided to go with a Tanganyikan setup.
Now that is out of the way...on to the Juli.
First I want to thank Tiny_Tanganyikans who was a great help in helping decide on which fish to go with and stocking levels. I also want to thank Lchi87 for some great ideas on scaping my tank. Not quite done with it, but getting there. Thanks again for your time and patience it's greatly appreciated.
I have a 75 gallon tank that has only one JulI by itself, I am picking up 3 more today...and then will add some Neolamprologus multifasciatus, I'm still not sure about my mid swimmers, or if I will get any. As you can see in the picture, it is less than an inch long, with almost a checker board pattern, and with a faint hint of blue on the outer edges on the fins. These colors should enhance as it gets older.
This fish is facinating to watch. It swims around in an almost jittery kind of way. Think of little torpedoes that move like Hummingbirds. I love the way it darts in and out of the rocks, and how it can even hang upside-down hugging the rocks. It is always in search of food and far it seems to like pellets, and once I get more, I will try frozen and mix in live food.
Another thing I've noticed is that it became very comfortable right away when I put it in the tank, and now has set up territory in two specific areas of the tank near the rocks and away form them as well. The territory it set up away from the rocks is kind of a surprise to me since I know they feel very safe close to rocks and caves. But will chalk it up to the fact it's alone and no competition or fear of predators. I'm sure a lot will change when I add the other three. So I will have to rearrange the decor again to establish new territories.
Even though it is by itself, it is very active and curious but at times can be a little jittery and will dart with lightning speed into the rocks for safety. But expected since it is alone.
I think this is a perfect fish to start a Lake Tanganyika tank, especially if you are like me and kind of bored with the average Tetras, Danios, Barbs, Loaches, etc etc that are normal.
Now...depending on how you source your fish, they can be very expensive. The one MarlierI that I bought from my lfs was 25$, and for a single MultI they wanted 30$. For Dickfeldis they wanted 27$, and for Ornatus, they were going for 60$. Luckily I found somewhere where I can get them much, much cheaper.
As my tank gets established I will update every so often.
