Lamprologus stappersi (Caudopunctatus) Care Guide
Lamprologus stappersi, the Caudopunctatus, is a small yellow-finned shell-spawning cichlid from Lake Tanganyika that forms harem groups around shells.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Lamprologus stappersi, known to hobbyists as the Caudopunctatus, is a small shell-spawning cichlid from Lake Tanganyika. It has yellow-edged fins and iridescent blue spots near the tail base. It forms harem groups around shells in sandy bays and is among the more peaceful entry-level Lamprologines.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Lamprologus
- Scientific name: Lamprologus stappersi
- Common synonyms: Lamprologus caudopunctatus, Neolamprologus caudopunctatus
Habitat
FishBase records the species (as Neolamprologus caudopunctatus) as endemic to the Zambian shores of Lake Tanganyika, where it hovers near the bottom over sand and uses shells for nesting. The lake's alkaline water defines its requirements.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.5-9.2
- GH: 12-25 °dGH
- Substrate: sand with shells for spawning
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
It is a carnivore. FishBase notes it hovers near the bottom to consume zooplankton. In the aquarium it accepts small frozen and prepared foods offered near the substrate.
Compatibility
More peaceful than ocellatus, it suits a Tanganyika community with Cyprichromis, Julidochromis, other shell-dwellers and Synodontis petricola. It should not be combined with mbuna, Tropheus or aggressive haps.
Breeding
It is a shell spawner. FishBase notes protective group behaviour, with non-breeding individuals forming a defensive circle around the breeding pair. Captive breeding is rated easy.
Conservation status
FishBase records the species (as Neolamprologus caudopunctatus) as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 26 February 2025).
Breeding Lamprologus stappersi (Caudopunctatus)
Overview
This small Tanganyikan cichlid of the caudopunctatus type (recorded here as Lamprologus stappersi) is a yellow-finned dwarf that hovers over sand and breeds in cavities. It is a zooplanktivorous shell spawner: in aquaria it uses empty snail shells, while in the lake, where its rocky, sand-strewn biotope lacks Neothauma shells, it excavates holes under rocks to spawn.
Sexing
The male is distinguished from the female mainly by being slightly larger and having slightly longer pelvic fins. Males reach around 7-8 cm while females stay smaller, so size and fin length are the practical sexing cues in a mature group.
Conditioning
Feed good-quality flake and granular foods supplemented with frozen brine shrimp; the species is a micro-predator that takes small invertebrate foods readily. Maintain hard, alkaline water at around 24-27 °C to keep fish in spawning condition.
Breeding Setup
Provide fine sand and empty snail shells or small rock cavities as spawning sites. This is not a harem species; rather, several pairs may spawn in close proximity, each holding a small territory, so a sand-bottomed tank with scattered shells can support a breeding colony. A small tank suffices for a single pair.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Pairs spawn within a shell or excavated cavity. The female is the dominant guardian and keeps the male and any dither fish away from the brood. Stable, hard, alkaline water and a suitable spawning site trigger reproduction.
Egg & Fry Care
Broods are small: documented spawns yielded only around five to ten fry. The female guards the fry closely. Fry are smaller and slimmer than those of many shell-dwellers and are started on fry food and finely ground flake, progressing to newly hatched brine shrimp and microworm.
Common Challenges
Small brood sizes mean modest yields, and the tiny fry require fine first foods. Because the female is the primary guardian, the male should not be removed but given space; providing several spawning sites lets a colony establish without excessive conflict.