Not as combative as J. transcriptus, five young one-inch juveniles were mixed into a 75-gallon tank full of vegetation but with little rockwork. Other occupants of the tank include a school of Tropheus and Cyprichromis, and other Lamprologus shell dwellers. Over the next nine months, the females more than doubled in size, whereas the males grew only half an inch. Aggression was very low and direct physical conflict was not observed. However there was visible bonding between two pairs. Each female seem to tolerate their own male, and chased the other male away. The males on the other hand ignored each other and very little defensive territorial behavior was observed.
The clearly sexable fish, now three females and two males, were moved into a 225-gallon tank, with dense rockwork full of slate (Shown below). Two months later, both pairs had established their own territories, deep within the protective crevasses of the rockwork. Needless to say, the first few fry were observed shortly after. An elusive breeder, eggs are deposited along the side or ceiling of the cave.
As a monogamous species, J. marlieri mate for life by forming a strong bond between mates. Once paired, they should not be separated, due to the difficulty of forming new bonds.
