Julidochromis regani
Common name: Regan’s Julie
 
Overview
Julidochromis regani is the largest of the Julidochromis species from Lake Tanganyika. It’s an elongated, striking rock-dwelling cichlid known for its bold horizontal striping, confident behaviour, and strong pair bonding. Because of its size and territorial nature, it suits medium to large Tanganyikan aquariums with extensive rockwork.
 
Care Sheet
Scientific Name
Julidochromis regani
Adult Size
12–14 cm (5–5.5 inches)
Lifespan
8–12 years
 
Temperament
Semi-aggressive and territorial
Pairs are stable
Territorial toward other Julies
Can dominate smaller cichlids in confined spaces
Best kept as one pair per tank unless the aquarium is very large and heavily structured.
Tank Size
Minimum 150 L (40 gallons) for a pair
200–350 L for communities or additional Tanganyikan species
 
Water Parameters
Lake Tanganyika conditions:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH: 7.8–9.0
Hardness: Hard to very hard (10–20+ dGH)
KH: High alkalinity essential
 
Diet
Omnivorous micro-predator
Feed a mix of:
High-quality cichlid pellets (small/medium)
Frozen foods (mysis, krill, brine shrimp, daphnia)
Live foods for conditioning
Occasional spirulina-based foods
Avoid fatty foods like tubifex or excessive bloodworms.
 
Tank Setup
Aquascape: Extensive rock formations, stacked securely
Caves: Multiple crevices, tunnels, and shaded areas
Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel
Plants: Optional but possible—Anubias, Vallisneria, Java fern
Filtration: Strong biological filtration
Lighting: Moderate
Rockwork complexity is key to managing territory and stress.
 
Behaviour
Bold, confident, and highly territorial around their rock area
Will form a long-term bonded pair
Can coexist with many Tanganyika species in sufficiently large spaces
Potential tankmates:
Cyprichromis
Altolamprologus calvus/compressiceps
Larger shell dwellers (e.g., Neolamprologus brevis)
Goby cichlids (Eretmodus/Tanganicodus)
Avoid small Julies to prevent bullying
 
Breeding
Lays eggs deep in caves
Female guards eggs; male defends territory
Fry stay close to rocks and grow slowly
Feed fry:
Baby brine shrimp
Crushed flake
High-quality fry powder
Pairs may produce multiple broods over time.