Plecodus straeleni is a species of cichlid fish that is endemic to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa.

[2][3] Unlike other members of its genus, it has a distinctive striped pattern and closely resembles the harmless Neolamprologus sexfasciatus.

It uses this aggressive mimicry to be able to approach unsuspecting fish and rapidly take a mouthful of scales.

[4] It also resembles the larger Cyphotilapia and has been recorded swimming among their schools, but this may be protective rather than aggressive mimicry.

[5] The specific name honours the Belgian paleontologist and carcinologist Victor van Straelen (1889-1964) who was Director of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.