Julidochromis sp.

[fishguy1978]

I have two varieties of julies, ornatus and regani. The first two ornatus came from @sir_keith and I added 4 more from the Wet spot. The 6 regani came from Pet Works and the Wet Spot.
I think my large male ornatus has culled the 4 little guys as I only see the original 2 and I pulled a dead one this morning.

 

[fishguy1978]

I'm not sure who is responsible but the larger ornatus is dead. Fins were all destroyed.

 

[sir_keith]

I'm not sure who is responsible but the larger ornatus is dead. Fins were all destroyed.

Who are their tankmates?

 

[fishguy1978]

Who are their tankmates?

The Sumbu. Sorry the obit was poorly written. Should say "I'm not sure which Sumbu(s)."

 

[sir_keith]

Now that is surprising. A 'normal' Alto, yes, but a Sumbu?

 

[fishguy1978]

Now that is surprising. A 'normal' Alto, yes, but a Sumbu?

I was very surprised too. Especially, since the male julie was pushing the sumbu around.

 

[fishguy1978]

The J. regani have started spawning. I’m not sure if it’s a pair or a harem.

 

[sir_keith]

Nice. Are the fry being tended by both parents? That happens only when a pair bond has been established, which is the default reproductive strategy for J. regani.

 

[fishguy1978]

Must be a pair tending. The other 3 adult regani are not allowed in that part of the tank. There are a couple spawns mixed together.

 

[sir_keith]

Must be a pair tending. The other 3 adult regani are not allowed in that part of the tank. There are a couple spawns mixed together.

Sounds like they are establishing a breeding group, in which even older fry defend the little ones. It's one of the very cool things that Julies do.

 

[fishguy1978]

Adults and fry, oh my I think there could be a dozen. It’s pretty amazing that the adult multies could prey on the regani fry but don’t. The adult regani keep the Calvus away which keeps the multipunctatus hemmed in a corner. The catfish is definitely not popular with any other co-hab’s.

 

[DMD123]

Very cool!

 

[sir_keith]

Nice! You definitely have a breeding group going. I'll be interested in some of these once they grow out.

 

[fishguy1978]

I went down to the fish room after lights out to try to get some pictures of the J regani fry. The fry were all huddled together in a tight space and one of the pair was stationed in the same space.
Fairly certain this is the female taking that position.

Male
The fry are very bold considering there is a Calvus and a S multipunctatus in the tank.

 

[fishguy1978]

Found this guy’s description of the Julie genus and the regani specifically very interesting.

 

[sir_keith]

Interesting, but there are way too many speculations that are derived from observing a single pair of fish, and several of his generalizations are just flat-out wrong (e. g. body size as the basis for gender discrimination). These are the kinds of things that scientists call 'anecdotal observations.'

I am also mightily unimpressed by his practice of keeping Mbuna with Tanganyikans, especially featherfins. Who does that?

Suggestions for further reading-

https://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/features/julidochromis-three-way-lovers/

https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/shes-so-heavy

 

[fishguy1978]

Part of the intent with the rock work in the 115g was for the introduction of the J regani with the T Bemba. I moved three over today.
The pair in the 90g use the cave under this rock, in the middle, for their spawning.

 

[fishguy1978]

The 3 Regani in the 90g had to defend themselves against the pair. Moving them to the 115g ment that they were now sparing with each other. Had to euthanize the one removed.

 

[fishguy1978]

Well, there were 2 live regani when I fed them this evening. Now there is only one with the tropheus. It must have been quite the fight as the dead one’s fins were destroyed.

 

[sir_keith]

I've never kept J. regani, but from your experiences they seem down-right nasty.