Easy to intermediate
Chocolate Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
£13.99
Striped Julie Kipili is a locality form of Julidochromis regani, a slender Lake Tanganyika cichlid that lives close to rockwork, forms strong pairs and rewards a stable hard-water aquarium.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Julidochromis regani
Striped Julie Kipili bond and breed in male/female pairs — buying a pair gives them the social structure they need.
Striped Julie Kipili is a locality form of Julidochromis regani, a slender Lake Tanganyika cichlid that lives close to rockwork, forms strong pairs and rewards a stable hard-water aquarium.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Cichlids are one of the most diverse fish families in the hobby. From tiny apistogrammas to massive oscars, this guide covers the basics of keeping them well.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Striped Julie Kipili is a locality form of Julidochromis regani, one of the classic rock-dwelling cichlids from Lake Tanganyika. It has the long, low body shape Julies are known for, with clean horizontal striping, a watchful expression and a habit of slipping in and out of caves rather than cruising in open water all day. This is a fish for aquarists who enjoy behaviour as much as colour: a settled pair will hold a small rocky territory, inspect every crevice and often become one of the most interesting displays in a hard-water aquarium.
The Kipili form suits a dedicated Tanganyika layout or a carefully planned African cichlid community. It is not a soft-water community fish and should not be mixed casually with tetras, rasboras or peaceful nano species. Keep it in mineral-rich, alkaline water with stable filtration, plenty of oxygen and rockwork that creates several sight breaks. When those basics are right, Julidochromis regani is hardy, alert and rewarding without needing exaggerated marketing promises or forced keywords to explain its appeal.
Build the aquarium around rockwork first. Stacked stone, caves and narrow gaps let the fish behave naturally and give subdominant fish a way to move out of sight. A sand or fine gravel base works well, especially if the rock is secure before the substrate is added. Avoid delicate plants in the main territory; this species is not a plant destroyer in the way some larger cichlids can be, but the aquarium should still feel like a rocky Tanganyika shoreline rather than a soft planted community tank.
Stable water matters more than chasing tiny numbers. Aim for warm, well-oxygenated, alkaline water and avoid sudden drops in pH or hardness. Limestone-based decor, Tanganyika buffers used carefully, or naturally hard tap water can all work, provided changes are gradual and tested. Good filtration and regular water changes are important because this fish comes from clear, oxygen-rich lake conditions. Keep nitrate controlled and avoid heavy feeding that leaves food trapped in caves.
Striped Julie Kipili is best described as territorial rather than wildly aggressive. A pair may be calm for long periods, then defend a cave strongly when breeding. The safest approach is to keep a single bonded pair in a smaller Tanganyika aquarium, or introduce a group of juveniles into a larger tank and allow a pair to form naturally. Once a pair is established, watch the extra fish closely because pressure can build quickly in tight rockwork.
Suitable tank mates are usually other Lake Tanganyika species that use different parts of the aquarium, such as open-water Cyprichromis in a larger tank, or carefully chosen shell dwellers where there is enough floor space. Avoid soft-water community fish, very small fish that may be bullied, boisterous Malawi mbuna and close Julidochromis lookalikes that may create territorial or hybridisation problems. If you already keep Tanganyikan cichlids, choose companions by adult size, territory style and water needs rather than by colour alone.
In the wild, Julies pick at small invertebrates and edible growth around rocks, so a varied but modest diet works best. Offer quality cichlid pellets or granules as the staple, then rotate small frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, cyclops or daphnia. Feed what the fish will clear quickly. Overfeeding can spoil water quality and encourage digestive issues, especially in a rocky aquarium where uneaten food can disappear into gaps before you notice it.
Julidochromis regani is a cave spawner. A settled pair will choose a protected site, clean it and guard eggs and fry with surprising confidence. Fry may appear close to the rockwork before the aquarist has seen the eggs. If you want to raise young, keep tank mates limited, make sure intake guards are safe and avoid major rescapes once a pair has chosen a territory. Pair bonds can be strong, but forced adult pairings are risky; giving young fish room to choose is usually more reliable.
This product has multiple size options when available. Smaller fish are usually easier to settle into a new group, while larger fish show more pattern and confidence sooner. Use the live size selector for current stock because availability can change by variant. If a size is out of stock, choose one of the in-stock alternatives or wait for the next supplier update rather than assuming every listed size is ready to ship.
Before the fish arrives, make sure the aquarium is already warm, cycled and matched to Tanganyika conditions. Dim the lights for the first few hours, release the fish calmly and let it find cover. It is normal for a new Julie to stay close to the rockwork while it checks the aquarium. Do not rearrange the tank repeatedly during the first week, because the fish uses landmarks and caves to establish a sense of security. Offer a small first meal only after it is moving confidently.
Watch body shape, breathing rate and social pressure during the first fortnight. A healthy Striped Julie should look alert and controlled, with fins held neatly and no need to hide constantly in panic. If one fish is being pinned into a corner, add extra sight breaks or be ready to separate it. The difference between a calm pair and an over-pressured group is often aquarium layout, not just temperament.
This is a strong choice for keepers who want a true Tanganyika species, a natural rockwork display and the possibility of pair behaviour or breeding. It is less suitable for a mixed beginner tank, very soft water, tiny aquariums or a setup where the owner wants every fish to behave like a peaceful schooling species. If you enjoy observing territories, cave choice, feeding responses and subtle social signals, Julidochromis regani gives far more interest than its slim shape first suggests.
We keep the listing focused on the fish itself: correct identity, realistic care advice, clear sizing and natural search language. For eligible in-stock livestock orders, first-time customers can use WELCOME10, and our Live Arrival Guarantee terms are there to support responsible delivery. The most important part is still the aquarium at home: prepare hard, alkaline water and stable rockwork before ordering so the fish arrives to a setup that suits it.
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 500L
20–27°C · pH 6–7 · 54L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 300L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 200L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L