[Doane]

Okay, so I have been sorta obsessed with the idea of shellies for the last couple months, and I was at my LFS on Thursday and I found a "Pearly Ocellatus" or `Lamprologus` stappersii. I was unaware that these fish are not part of the Ocellatus family as mentioned in Marc Elieson's article. My question is what are the primary differences between the stappersii and the ocellatus and why are these fish (which in my non-professional opinion look like Ocellatus) not a part of that family?

Should I expect similar behavior? Are the care requirements the same? Are these going to be as enjoyable a fish, or should I take them back and wait for the Ocellatus?

On a side note, I realized one of my shells apparently has babies in it, what can I feed these little guys? I was thinking about getting an eye dropper and shooting a little food directly into the shell?

Thanks for the advise.

 

[triscuit]

Stapps are beautiful fish that are closely related to occies. I think the distinction is that stappersi is a different species, unlike the several graphical variants of the occelatus species. However, they behave similarly, and have the same requirements. If you like them, keep them! :thumb:

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

Triscuit is spot on. Different species, but care is very similar as occies.

 

[Doane]

Well, then I am def. going to keep them! :dancing:

What do I feed the fry, I noticed the parent crushing up food I was feeding him and spitting it into the shell but should I get some fry food, and if so I was thinking about using an eye dropper to inject it into the shell? My worry is the food rotting, what do you all think?

 

[Alleycat]

Live baby brine shrimp would be a great food for starters, if you can't get live going, frozen would be good too.
And if you like the Stapps, but still want occies, I see another tank in your future. Both are cool little fish. :thumb:

 

[Voodoo Chilli]

I used Hikari First Bites for my multi fry; it's small enough for those teeny, tiny mouths.

 

[Hyperion]

Sounds like the dad already has the food situation under control to me.