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Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) — Cichlidae

Golden julie

Julidochromis ornatus
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky shore zones.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The ornate julie is a small, rock-dwelling cichlid endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, yellow-gold body with three dark longitudinal stripes. It lives among rock crevices along the shores, usually solitary and territorial, and rarely ventures far into open water. As a micro-feeder it grazes small organisms and growth from the rocks. The ornate julie forms monogamous pairs that lay and guard their brood in crevices and caves. It is popular in the aquarium; captive strains sometimes show altered colours and behaviour. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden julie?

The Golden julie has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Three dark longitudinal stripes; territorial rock-dweller that forms monogamous pairs.

Where does the Golden julie live?

The Golden julie lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky shore zones.

How big does the Golden julie get?

The Golden julie grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Golden julie dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden julie is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden julie edible?

The Golden julie is not usually eaten.

More photos

Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — FakirNL (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Friedrich Rosian, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) — Cichlidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Friedrich Rosian, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden julie (Julidochromis ornatus) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) K.Kawasaka, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

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All data

Identification

English name
Golden julie verified
Scientific name
Julidochromis ornatus
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold
Pattern
Horizontal stripes
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa; rocky shore zones.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Biofilm: small organisms and algae from rocks sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
Yes
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Three dark longitudinal stripes; territorial rock-dweller that forms monogamous pairs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source
FishBase ↗

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Julidochromis

Dickfeld's julie (Julidochromis dickfeldi) — Cichlidae
Dickfeld's julie
Julidochromis dickfeldi
Cichlidae
 Marlier's julie (Julidochromis marlieri) — Cichlidae
Marlier's julie
Julidochromis marlieri
Cichlidae
 Convict julie (Julidochromis regani) — Cichlidae
Convict julie
Julidochromis regani
Cichlidae

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Want the complete picture on the Golden julie?

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