Julidochromis dickfeldi
Common name: Dickfeld’s Julie
 
Overview
Julidochromis dickfeldi is a slender, rock-dwelling cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. Known for its striking yellow-gold body with dark horizontal banding, it is one of the smaller, calmer Julidochromis species. They form strong monogamous pairs and thrive in rocky aquascapes with plenty of caves and crevices.
Perfect for Tanganyikan community setups or species tanks.
 
Care Sheet
Scientific Name
Julidochromis dickfeldi
Adult Size
7–9 cm (3–3.5 inches)
Lifespan
8–10 years
 
Temperament
Semi-aggressive, especially when breeding
Pairs are stable; territorial toward other Julies
Best kept as:
A single bonded pair, or
A group in a large, complex rock setup
 
Tank Size
Minimum 80 L (20 gallons) for a pair
120–200 L for multiple Tanganyikan species
 
Water Parameters
Lake Tanganyika conditions:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH: 7.8–9.0
Hardness: Hard to very hard (10–20+ dGH)
Alkalinity: High KH required for stability
 
Diet
Omnivorous micro-predator
Accepts:
High-quality pellets (Tanganyika or small cichlid formulas)
Frozen foods (brine shrimp, krill, mysis)
Live foods (daphnia, white worms)
Occasional spirulina for balance
Avoid too much fatty food (e.g., tubifex).
 
Tank Setup
Aquascape: Heavy rockwork with caves, cracks, tunnels
Substrate: Sand or fine gravel
Plants: Optional; hardy species only (Anubias, Vallisneria)
Filtration: Strong, stable biological filtration
Lighting: Moderate
They will choose a cave system and defend it fiercely.
 
Behaviour
Forms tight monogamous pairs
Very territorial around chosen rock structure
Peaceful with many Tanganyikan fish when space is provided
Good tankmates:
Shell dwellers (in large tanks)
Cyprichromis
Altolamprologus (carefully)
Small Tropheus avoided—too boisterous
 
Breeding
Very manageable once a pair is formed:
Spawns deep inside caves or rock cracks
Male guards territory; female guards eggs
Fry receive parental care and remain in territory
Provide crushed flake, baby brine shrimp, and fine fry foods
Rockwork must be stable—secure with aquarium-safe glue
They can produce multiple broods over time.