How to Keep Julidochromis ornatus Fish in a Water Tank
Keeping fish Julidochromis ornatus at home requires a bit of work. But don't overthink it; this brief guideline will inform you about what to prepare.
Fishkeeping is a wonderful hobby. You can be creative with your water tank, environment setting, and fish choices. Whether you are new or familiar with this hobby, it is always a great idea to do some research before selecting a new species of fish to be brought home. The Golden Julie or Julidochromis ornatus is a popular fish for aquarists and keepers. Here is a guideline for keeping fish Julidochromis ornatus at home.
Water Tank Size
The Golden Julie can grow to an average of 6 inches or 15 centimeters; when fully grown, it can weigh up to 2.2 ounces or 62 grams. The water tank needs to be at least 3 times longer and 2 times wider than the Julidochromis ornatus. Therefore, getting a water tank that can at least hold 70 liters of water or more is recommended. A 70-liter tank is sufficient to keep different species, including algae and ornaments.
Water Conditions
The Golden Julie is native to Lake Tanganyika in Eastern Africa, a freshwater lake. This tropical freshwater fish needs the following conditions to live: pH of 8.0, water temperature between 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, or 72 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping fish Julidochromis ornatus needs a well-maintained water quality as they are sensitive to high levels of nitrite and ammonia. If possible, keep nitrate levels less than 20 mg/l and keep ammonia levels at 0. Therefore, robust water filtration is a must; even so, the water needs to be changed regularly.
Tank Environment
The Julidochromis ornatus likes to swim around rocks and sandy floors. Using materials that do not change the water quality and conditions is a must. For rocks, you can use tufa rock, lava rock, and limestone. Giving your fish hiding spots is great to avoid any incoming fish aggression from their tank mates. Aside from rocks with lots of holes, adding driftwood and vegetation (e.g.Java Moss, Vallisneria, Anubias, and Java ferns) are also an option.
Tank Mates
The Julidochromis ornatus is a fairly peaceful fish but becomes aggressive when spawning. Having at least a pair of males and females in one tank is recommended because the female will turn aggressive if she sees another female.
This fish is quite territorial around their caves. If the other midwater fishes do not come too close, they will not turn aggressive. The Golden Julie is compatible with Lamprologus callipterus, Cyprichromis sp. yellow, and other species of Julidochromis as long as their tank mates are equal in size, not bigger or smaller than them.
The Golden Julie is popular among fish keepers because of their vibrant colored body and active behavior. They can get along well with other peaceful schooling fish. If you're planning to get more than a pair, you can buy a group of Golden Julie and let them pair naturally.
After that, you can separate each monogamous pair, so they don't turn aggressive toward each other. So, after reading this brief guideline on keeping fish Julidochromis ornatus, are you interested in keeping them?
Source:
https://fishkeepingfolks.com/julidochromis-ornatus/
https://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/news-article?id=2187