Lamprologus Stappersii Questions

[phishphorphun]

I have been very successful in getting many broods from a single pair of my L. stappersii. Yesterday, I moved another batch to a growout tank (looks like another 15-20 fry). That is at least seven spawns from that pair this year. May be even more that I may have missed earlier in the year. Does eveyone that keeps this species get such prolific spawning? If that is the case, I'm wondering why I don't see more of these cute little buggers around. Are these the guppies of the cichlid world? :huh:

 

[Charlutz]

In my opinion, tangs in general appeal to specialists. Those of us who do keep them are plenty fanatical about it, but they don't appeal to fishkeepers, or even cichlid keepers ... or even african cichlid keepers ... in general. Maybe they just don't have that impulse buy striking look about them. When you do see tangs in most LFS, they are the ones that are striking looking by tang standards -- frontosa, tropheus, leleupi, trets, brichardi and altos. Maybe the occasional julie. For anything else, you have to go to a more refined shop. Even the tangs you find in stores are often kept by cichlid keepers in tanks mixed with malawians. Definitely can't do that with a shellie. Your curiosity though is common among those of us with the tang bug -- why can't more people see the fish from this lake the way we do?

 

[phishphorphun]

So Charlie, are you telling me that you too have had easy success with the shellies? I know how L. Brichardis reproduce. I had them and they were like rabbits. I'm just surprised about the shelles.

I see your point about the lack of appeal because of the lesser color characteristics of the Tanganyikans (in many cases). But man, shellies take up so little space. You would think they would be a natural for the average fishkeeping novice. I remember Theresa had a tiny tank on her kitchen counter with brevis or ocellatus in it. Took up less room than a toaster.

 

[Charlutz]

No, I was only speaking generally about tangs. Come to think of it however, I recently added some ocellatus and brevis to my two growout tanks. I wanted small fish that could be kept with fry of others and not harass them too much. Fish that would take up a corner of the tank but still leave room for others. I'm hoping to get small colonies going. But see, even for me, I didn't latch onto the shellies until just recently even though I've kept tangs for years. Of course, my larger tanks were devoted to haps, peacocks and a few of the milder mbuna. Maybe tangs and shellies are an evolutionary thing among fish keepers? :confused0024: Y'know, after you get bored just looking at the fish swim, you want to see them do stuff.

 

[longstocking]

Yes, Bobby they are usually quite prolific. That's part of the reason I only have 1 type of shellie. That is also why shellies are popular with new tang keepers.

I've been looking for more "rare" if you will, shellies that don't produce like rabbits.

 

[phishphorphun]

Thanks Sarah for the candid answer. I'm going to have to get rid of a lot of these L. stappersii in the next few months. I guess I'll be spending some time on the 'Trader' forum.

 

[marge618]

No, I was only speaking generally about tangs. Come to think of it however, I recently added some ocellatus and brevis to my two growout tanks. I wanted small fish that could be kept with fry of others and not harass them too much. Fish that would take up a corner of the tank but still leave room for others. I'm hoping to get small colonies going. But see, even for me, I didn't latch onto the shellies until just recently even though I've kept tangs for years. Of course, my larger tanks were devoted to haps, peacocks and a few of the milder mbuna. Maybe tangs and shellies are an evolutionary thing among fish keepers? :confused0024: Y'know, after you get bored just looking at the fish swim, you want to see them do stuff.[/b]

Soooo True. The tangs are interesting.... something I will probably get involved with in 2008. Or is it 'evolved'? :confused0024:

 

[cyradis4]

Huh... I've always been a bit fascinated by the shellies.....

Nice fish! I might be interested in a few come Christmas time....

Later!
Amanda.

 

[ltrepeter2000]

I will second the interest when they are ready. Let me know.

Thanks
Rob

 

[phishphorphun]

Sounds like I may be able to move some of the little buggers. There should be at least twenty ready by the January meeting. Thanks.


OOOOPPPPPPPS. Had to edit this. I will be in Greenville, SC for the January meeting. Have to wait till the February meeting.

 

[ltrepeter2000]

Better for me, gives me time to rearrange and devote space.

 

[Pat Kelly]

If there are some in the auction, I will bid on them also. Was looking at them at the OCA auction.