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Background 
The extremely varied shapes and lifestyles of Lake Tanganyika's many rockdwellers betray her long history and numerous niches. The Julidochromis genus has evolved in roughly the opposite direction from the Altolamprologus, high-backed hunters. Julies have slim rocket bodies that allow them to squeeze into small caves and snatch fry or other sustenance from between the rocks.
They have surprising turn of speed thanks to this shape adaptation, and can disappear behind a heater or filter intake, which makes them difficult or impossible to catch.
The Julies' bold colors and sharp patterns have made them popular fish among Tanganyikan fanciers, and J. transcriptus is no exception. With a striking black and white pattern, well balanced n composition, and fins with subtle blue and yellow the Masked Julie is among the most attractive species in the lake. The fish seems to know it, too; Julies are quite happy, when not slinking from rock to rock thinking themselves invisible, to display to other fish and to their owners. However, the fins fold tight to the body when the fish "takes off."
Care
Transcriptus are a dwarf Julie, at around 3" adult size. A friendly pair may be kept in a 10 gallon tank, though given how thoroughly rockwork displaces water volume they deserve a bit more space. The species is also on the gentle side of the scale, not as calm as ornatus or the supremely laid-back dickfeldi, but quite safe in a community if given plenty of space and rockwork. To be fair this is partially due to anatomy: their small mouths make it difficult for them to injure tankmates.
This species is a strict rockdweller and needs significant caves and hidey-holes. A lava rock placed in the corner of a tank is not rockwork, nor is a pile of clay pots unless the owner really knows what he or she is doing. However, when the needs and shape of the julies are taken into account, there are numerous options. Any kind of fish-safe rock will work if put together so as to provide numerous small, enclosed caves. Varying small sizes of PVC piping can be piled, particularly with caps placed on one end of each, to create caves or networks thereof. Styrofoam DIY backgrounds can be reworked to provide caves and hidey-holes, though they may make it impossible to catch fish down the road. Some people have even been known to take advantage of the numerous openings and caves provided by a pile of big craft-store seashells.
The julies will spend plenty of time in and out of caves but this does not mean they're shy fish; once settled in, they are more than willing to patrol the rock pile openly, though they tend not to bother much with open space.
Micropredators, julies are happy to live on a staple but appreciate meaty treats like frozen brine shrimp. As with many other species, a well-rounded diet is the key to both a vibrant fish and frequent spawnings.
Breeding
Julies are cave spawners, and quite ecretive. Certain dedicated females may disappear to fan eggs or guard young, but in general, as with other Lamprologine cave spawners, the first sign of spawning is the emergence of free-swimming fry. Both parents will help herd them, and this colony species tolerates its young until they are about an inch long. Given plenty of territory, the relationship will extend past that.
Eggs are laid in a very low-level cave, often a rock surface hanging just above the substrate. A high rockpile will lead to fighting over the bottom level, though over time the young will learn to use higher caves. Eggs may number from twenty to nearly a hundred.
Older fry will help protect their younger siblings, but fry of most ages choose flight over fight, and stick close to caves for ease of escape in a crunch. They are easily tempted out by food, and particularly smaller-sized frozen, freeze-dried, and live foods.
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Scientific name: Julidochromis transcriptus
Common names: Masked Julie, Transcriptus Julie
Synonyms: None known
Origin: Lake Tanganyika, Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Niche: Rockdwelling, bottom-middle
Optimal pH: 7.6+
Optimal GH: 10-20 degrees
Optimal temperature: 75-78F (23-26C)
Adult length: 3"(9cm)
Diet: Carnivore, micropredator
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