Species

Pearly ocellatus

Lamprologus stappersi

moderatesemi aggressivebottom swimmerCichlidae
Add to my tank
Pearly ocellatus
Tank length
13.5 cm5.3 in
Start with
1
Temperature
24–28 °C75–82 °F
pH
7.6–9
Adult size
4.5 cm1.8 in
Lifespan
5–8 yrs

Defends its shells hard against its own kind; keep as a pair or trio with a generous shell bed.Defends its shells hard against its own kind; keep as a pair or trio with a generous shell bed.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature24–28AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
pH7.6–9AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
Hardness (dGH)10–30AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
OriginNorthern Lake Tanganyika, East Africacurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care levelmoderatecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activitysedentarycurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentsemi aggressivecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Nips finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Long finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
TerritorialYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lives in groupsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum group1curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Dietcarnivorecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lifespan (years)5–8curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Months to adult size10curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence