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.