Lamprologus stappersi

Lamprologus stappersi is a charming polka-dotted shell dweller endemic to the DRC coastline of Lake Tanganyika. Like the famous L. meleagris, the body is adorned with white spots on a darker background, though stappersi tends to show smaller, more evenly distributed spots and a less contrasting base colour. The species is named after the Belgian naturalist R. Stappers.

In the wild, groups of males each defend a small shell cluster on the sandy lake floor, forming loose aggregations where territorial boundaries are constantly negotiated. In the aquarium this social behaviour can be replicated in a moderately sized tank by housing two or three males with several females, provided sufficient visual separation is maintained with shell clusters spaced around the tank.

Stappersi appreciates a sandy-floor aquarium with a generous provision of shells and is best kept in a dedicated shell-dweller setup. It is moderately demanding with respect to water quality; nitrate accumulation dulls the white spots noticeably, so regular water changes and efficient filtration are important for maintaining the fish at its most attractive.

Water: pH 7.8–9.0, GH 12–20, KH 8–16, temperature 24–27 °C; low nitrates for white-spot intensity. Tank: 60 L for a colony; fine sand; 5–8 shells spaced around the floor; minimal other decor. Feeding: Frozen Artemia, Daphnia, Cyclops; micro pellets; twice daily. Breeding: Shell-spawner; female guards independently; male defends territory; raise fry on Artemia nauplii. Compatibility: Species tank or with Cyprichromis; adequate territory separation required for multi-male groups.