Regani Julie

Looks how to spot one

Slender, elongated cichlid

A long, slim fish with a pale to golden-yellow body crossed lengthwise by four thin black stripes; the dorsal fin carries stripes too and the larger fins are rimmed in white.2

Personality what they are like

A confident little cichlid that settles into a territory and defends it; it mixes well with other Tanganyikan cichlids of similar size but prefers not to share with its own kind beyond its partner.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

More of a sand-and-scattered-rocks fish than its cousins, roaming open patches near the bottom and retreating to caves to spawn.31

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide hard, alkaline, clean water with regular partial changes; keep a single Julidochromis species per tank to avoid crossbreeding.32

Home where they are happiest

At least a 120 x 30 cm base (about 108 litres) for a pair; sandy substrate with rock piles and caves. Temperature about 22-27 C, pH 7.5-9.2, hardness roughly 8-25 dGH.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous: mostly live and frozen foods with some quality dried food and plant matter like spirulina or blanched spinach.32

Company who they like around

Kept as a mated pair; youngsters raised together pair up most readily, and pairs are largely monogamous.32

The story where it all began

Max Poll described the species in 1942 and named it after the British ichthyologist Charles Tate Regan. It is one of the best-known Julidochromis in the aquarium hobby, where it is often sold as the convict or striped julie.21

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 28 February 2025)1

Taxonomy

Described by Max Poll in 1942; genus Julidochromis1