Norman's Lampeye Care Guide: The Glowing-Eyed Nano Fish (Poropanchax normani)
Norman’s lampeye (Poropanchax normani) is a tiny, peaceful West African nano fish best known for one unforgettable feature: a pair of brilliant, electric-blue iridescent eyes that glow under the right lighting. Reaching barely an inch and a half, it’s a gentle shoaling species perfect for planted nano tanks and shrimp-safe community setups. If you want a subtle, shimmering schooler that does its best work in a quiet, well-planted aquarium, the Norman’s lampeye is a hidden gem.
Norman’s lampeye at a glance
Norman’s lampeyes are small, slender, silvery fish reaching about 1.2–1.6 inches. Their signature trait is the glowing blue-green upper eye, which catches and reflects light dramatically — most striking when the fish are lit from the front in a dim, planted tank. They’re active mid-water shoalers that look washed-out alone but come alive in a group. Expect a lifespan of around 2–3 years. Like other small West African killifish relatives, they’re peaceful enough to share a tank with dwarf shrimp, much like the clown killifish.
Tank size & setup
A group of Norman’s lampeyes is happy in a 10-gallon tank, with a 15 or 20-gallon long even better for a proper shoal of 8–12. They’re mid-water swimmers that appreciate open space framed by planting. A dark substrate and dim, indirect lighting make the glowing eyes pop, and floating plants both diffuse the light and give them security. Use gentle, shrimp-safe filtration — a sponge filter is ideal, since these tiny fish struggle in strong current.
Water parameters
Norman’s lampeyes are adaptable but do best in soft to moderately hard, neutral-to-slightly-alkaline water: aim for a pH of 6.5–7.5, soft to medium hardness, and temperatures of 73–80°F. They’re sensitive to poor water quality given their small size, so a fully cycled, stable tank with regular small water changes is essential. Always dechlorinate tap water first with a water conditioner. New to cycling? Our common aquarium mistakes guide covers the basics worth getting right.
Diet & feeding
Norman’s lampeyes have tiny mouths, so food size matters more than anything. Offer finely crushed micro-pellets or nano flakes as a staple, and supplement heavily with small live and frozen foods — baby brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, and micro worms are eagerly taken and bring out their best condition and color. Feed small amounts once or twice a day. Browse our frozen foods for nano-friendly options.
Temperament & tankmates
Norman’s lampeyes are about as peaceful as fish get — they won’t bother anyone, which also means they’re easily intimidated or outcompeted. Keep them in a shoal of at least eight, and pair them only with similarly small, gentle tankmates. They’re an excellent shrimp-safe fish, ignoring adult dwarf shrimp entirely.
Great in-stock tankmates include the celestial pearl danio, scarlet badis, Beckford’s pencilfish, and dwarf shrimp like the blue carbon rili shrimp. The peaceful clown killifish is another lovely nano companion. Browse the full nano fish and shrimp collections, and our best nano fish guide and peaceful nano community guide for more pairing ideas.
Breeding
Norman’s lampeyes are continuous egg-scatterers rather than annual killifish — a conditioned group will lay a few tiny adhesive eggs each day among fine-leaved plants, floating roots, or a spawning mop. The eggs and fry are extremely small, so the easiest method is a heavily planted species-only tank where some fry survive on their own among the plants and biofilm. To raise more, move eggs or the mop to a separate container and feed newly hatched fry infusoria or vinegar eels before graduating to baby brine shrimp. It takes patience, but a stable colony can sustain itself for years.
Common care notes
The two most common mistakes with Norman’s lampeyes are keeping too few (a small group looks dull and stressed — always keep eight or more) and pairing them with fish that are too big or too boisterous, which leaves the lampeyes hiding and underfed. They’re also sensitive to unstable water, so go slow with acclimation and keep up with small, regular water changes. Get the group size and tankmates right, and they’re hardy and rewarding. Hardy planting from our low-tech plants guide makes the ideal backdrop.
Is the Norman’s lampeye right for you?
Choose a Norman’s lampeye if you love subtle, shimmering nano fish and have (or want to build) a calm, well-planted shrimp-safe tank. It’s ideal for nano-tank and aquascaping enthusiasts and shrimp keepers who want a gentle dither fish, and it shines in dim, planted setups where the glowing eyes really show. It’s less suited to bright, sparsely planted tanks, busy community setups with larger fish, or anyone wanting a bold, high-color centerpiece. For a fuller roster of compatible species, start with our best nano fish guide.
The bottom line
The Norman’s lampeye is a peaceful, shrimp-safe nano gem whose glowing blue eyes make it unforgettable in the right setup — a perfect schooler for a quiet planted tank. We don’t currently stock Poropanchax normani itself, but we do carry other peaceful nano fish and killifish relatives, including the clown killifish, plus a rotating selection in our killifish and nano fish collections. Stop by Tropical Treasures in Cheyenne (307-369-1118) or give us a call — we’re happy to help you track one down or build the perfect nano community.