Norman's lampeyes with shrimp

By the Shrimp Tank Hub editorsUpdated Oct 26, 2026Research-based

Norman's lampeye (Poropanchax normani) is a small African killifish named for the bright blue crescent above each eye. The Shrimp Farm notes that, unlike most killifish, it is a peaceful schooling fish of the middle and upper water, and that it belongs to the African lampeye family Procatopodidae. AquaInfo lists a wide range across West and Central Africa, from Senegal and Gambia to Chad and Sudan, in small rivers, streams and swamps with dense vegetation.

Norman's lampeye at a glance

Will Norman's lampeyes eat shrimp?

• Adult shrimp: no. The Shrimp Farm's tankmate list says they do not eat adult shrimp, and its care guide says they coexist with Neocaridina, Amano shrimp, ghost shrimp and crystal reds in a densely planted tank.
• Shrimplets: some losses. Wild lampeyes eat small insect larvae and crustaceans (The Shrimp Farm), and a newborn shrimp drifting in open water is the right size. Shrimplets that stay in moss and on the bottom are mostly out of the way of a surface-feeding fish (our reading).
• Eggs and berried females: safe. Shrimp carry their eggs under the tail, out of reach of a fish this small.
• Delicate shrimp: The Shrimp Farm suggests avoiding only the most finicky Caridina cantonensis and tiger shrimp lines, mainly because of water needs. See crystal red shrimp care.

For other small surface and schooling fish, see clown killifish with shrimp, least killifish with shrimp and medaka with shrimp, or the full cherry shrimp tank mates list.

Matching the water

The Shrimp Farm lists pH 6.0–7.5, 72–79 °F and TDS 50–250, and says tank-bred lampeyes are not picky even though wild habitats are soft and acidic. AquaInfo gives pH 6.5–7.5 and 22–26 °C. Cherry-type shrimp tolerate 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0 and GH 4–8 (The Shrimp Farm). By our comparison:

• With cherry shrimp: about 72–78 °F, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH 4–8 fits both, which covers a lot of ordinary tap water.
• With crystal and other Caridina: soft water at pH 6.0–6.5 sits inside The Shrimp Farm's range, so tank-bred lampeyes can work in a soft-water tank too. See Caridina vs Neocaridina.

The Shrimp Farm suggests small weekly water changes of about 20%, which also suit shrimp. Match the new water's temperature and hardness closely. See shrimp tank water changes, shrimp water parameters and TDS explained.

Tank size and setup

• Size: The Shrimp Farm treats 10 gallons as the minimum and prefers 15–20 gallons for a bigger school. They are active swimmers, so pick a long tank.
• Mature tank only: The Shrimp Farm says the tank should be fully cycled and mature first. See how to cycle a shrimp tank.
• Dense plants, open middle: The Shrimp Farm recommends a calm, densely planted tank with swimming room in the middle; AquaInfo agrees and adds floating plants to dim the light, which makes the blue eyes stand out. See best plants for a shrimp tank and java moss for shrimp.
• Low flow, dim light: both match what shrimp like. A sponge filter works well. See shrimp-safe filters and shrimp tank lighting.
• Lid: AquaInfo calls them excellent jumpers and says the tank should be well covered. See do shrimp need a lid.

Keep a real school

The Shrimp Farm says lampeyes do poorly alone or in small groups: get at least 6, preferably 12 or more, and the bigger the group, the happier and more colorful they are. AquaInfo also gives a minimum of six. Males have longer, more pointed fins, sometimes with orange edges; females have rounded fins (The Shrimp Farm, AquaInfo).

Other good tankmates

AquaInfo suggests small, peaceful fish such as ember tetras, African jellybean tetras, pygmy corydoras and Boraras, and warns against larger fish that might eat them. See ember tetras with shrimp, pygmy corydoras with shrimp and Boraras rasboras with shrimp. Snails and otocinclus also fit (our suggestion); see otocinclus with shrimp.

Feeding both

The Shrimp Farm suggests floating micro flakes or pellets as a staple, with a weekly serving of live Daphnia or thawed frozen foods such as mosquito larvae. AquaInfo adds Artemia and bloodworms. Lampeyes feed near the top, so add sinking shrimp food after the fish have eaten, or in a corner (our suggestion). See best shrimp food.

Breeding: fish and shrimp in the same tank

Lampeyes breed readily. Females lay sticky eggs on fine-leaved plants or spawning mops (The Shrimp Farm, AquaInfo), and AquaInfo says the eggs hatch after 12–14 days. The Shrimp Farm notes that in a densely planted community tank, young lampeyes may appear from the plants after a few weeks. For more fry, both sources use a separate spawning tank, since adults and tankmates (shrimp included, our note) eat eggs and fry.

How to add Norman's lampeyes to a shrimp tank

• Shrimp first. Practical Fishkeeping suggests building up the shrimp colony before adding fish, so the shrimp know the hiding places.
• Close the lid before releasing them.
• Acclimate slowly. Drip-acclimate if the store's water differs much from yours. See how to drip acclimate.
• Pick healthy fish. The Shrimp Farm says to look for active, colorful fish without fin damage or clamped fins.
• Quarantine the fish separately. Practical Fishkeeping says many fish medications are not safe for invertebrates. If fish get sick, ask a fish veterinarian or an experienced store about treatment that won't harm the shrimp. See how to quarantine and is copper toxic to shrimp.

Common mistakes

• Buying only two or three fish.
• Leaving gaps in the lid.
• A bare, brightly lit tank with strong flow.
• Adding them to a new, uncycled tank.
• Expecting every shrimplet to survive.

Track it

Log temperature, pH, GH and TDS on the free Water Parameter Log printable so you can keep the tank in the range both species share.

Frequently asked questions

Will Norman's lampeyes eat cherry shrimp?

Not adults. The Shrimp Farm says they are too small to take on anything but the tiniest baby shrimp, so expect a few shrimplet losses in open water.

Can Norman's lampeyes live with crystal red shrimp?

Often, yes. The Shrimp Farm lists crystal reds among the shrimp they coexist with in a dense tank. Keep the water soft and stable for the shrimp.

What water do Norman's lampeyes need?

The Shrimp Farm lists pH 6.0 to 7.5, 72 to 79 °F and TDS 50 to 250. With cherry shrimp, aim for about 72 to 78 °F and pH 6.5 to 7.5.

How many Norman's lampeyes should I keep?

At least 6, and preferably 12 or more, according to The Shrimp Farm.

Do Norman's lampeyes need a lid?

Yes. AquaInfo calls them excellent jumpers and says to keep the tank well covered.

How big do Norman's lampeyes get?

About 1.5 inches according to The Shrimp Farm's care guide, or about 4 cm according to AquaInfo.

Sources: The Shrimp Farm, Norman's lampeye killifish care (max about 1.5 in; schooling killifish, family Procatopodidae; middle to top water; 10 gallons minimum, 15–20 better, long tank; calm, densely planted, open middle, low flow, dim light; pH 6.0–7.5, 72–79 °F, TDS 50–250; captive-bred stock not picky; cycled, mature tank; about 20% weekly water changes; peaceful; at least 6, preferably 12 or more; excellent shrimp tankmates, too small for anything but the tiniest baby dwarf shrimp; fine with Neocaridina, Amano, ghost shrimp and crystal reds in a dense tank; omnivores eating small insect larvae and crustaceans; floating micro flakes or pellets plus weekly live or frozen food; eggs on mops or fine-leaved plants; fry can appear in planted tanks; choosing healthy fish); AquaInfo, Poropanchax normani (Norman's lampeye) (about 4 cm; 3–5 years; West and Central African range; rivers, streams and swamps with dense vegetation; 22–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5; at least 60 cm and 60 liters; densely planted with open swimming space; floating plants; well-covered tank, excellent jumpers; tankmates; schools of at least six; eggs on fine plants or mops, hatching in 12–14 days); The Shrimp Farm, Shrimp tankmates and compatibility (Norman's lampeye up to 1.8 in, 20+ gallons, moderate, does not eat adult shrimp); The Shrimp Farm, Red rili shrimp tank set-up and care (cherry-type Neocaridina: 65–85 °F, pH 6.2–8.0, GH 4–8); Practical Fishkeeping, What can I keep with shrimp? (build the shrimp colony first; many fish medications unsafe for invertebrates). The shared water zones and stocking suggestions are our own.