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Care guide · Freshwater shrimp

Nigerian floating shrimp

Desmocaris trispinosa

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The Nigerian floating shrimp (Desmocaris trispinosa) is a West African freshwater shrimp that may appear to hover in the water. This behavior is most apparent when current is low and tankmates are not continually disturbing the animals. The common names Nigerian floating shrimp and Guinea swamp shrimp refer to this species, but confirm the scientific name when buying. This guide combines taxonomic and biological references with specialist aquarium profiles. Published aquarium ranges differ somewhat, so it uses their conservative overlap and avoids unsupported promises about a universal minimum tank volume or compatibility with all fish.

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At a glance

Temperature
22–28 °C
pH
6.5–7.5
GH
4–15 °dGH
KH
0–3 °dKH
Diet
Omnivore
Adult size
Up to 5 cm
Group size
At least 10 individuals
Temperament
Peaceful, May compete for food

About this species

Desmocaris trispinosa (Aurivillius, 1898) is a small shrimp in the family Desmocarididae. WoRMS and ITIS recognize this scientific combination as the accepted name; older literature may use the original combination Palaemonetes trispinosus. Names such as Nigerian floating shrimp and Guinea swamp shrimp refer to the aquarium species, but common names are less precise than the scientific name. The shrimp is translucent to yellow-brown, with prominent eyes and a characteristic dorsal pattern. Aquarium profiles report females reaching about 5 cm and smaller males; field and aquarium sources may use different measurement methods.

Natural habitat

The species is native to West and Central Africa. Sources name Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire and describe streams, swamps and still or slow-moving waters, often with leaf litter. A field study in the Banco stream in Côte d’Ivoire found year-round reproduction with seasonal peaks. These are natural habitats, not precise aquarium instructions. In tanks, the calm hovering behavior is especially notable; Aquarium Glaser reports that it is clearest in very quiet water. Provide low-flow areas while maintaining adequate filtration and oxygen exchange.

Aquarium and layout

Set up a mature aquarium with leaf litter, plants, moss and small shelters, while leaving open swimming space. The shrimp uses both the bottom and water column. Specialist aquarium profiles advise a group of around ten or more; this is not a scientifically established minimum, but group housing better matches reported behavior. One source suggests a tank length of at least 60 cm. A reliable universal volume minimum could not be established from independent sources, so none is stated. Cover the aquarium: startled shrimp may dart upward and jump.

Water conditions

Specialist aquarium profiles commonly give about 22–28 °C and pH around 6.5–7.5; another source lists wider limits. These are practical hobby ranges, not experimentally established physiological limits. Keep temperature and pH stable and acclimate animals gradually. Aquarium profiles differ on GH; my-fish gives approximately 4–15 °dGH and KH 0–3 °dKH. Treat these as source-based orientation, not a mandatory recipe. Measure your own water, keep ammonia and nitrite undetectable, avoid large swings, and do not add salt or buffers without a clear reason.

Behaviour and group size

The characteristic behavior is brief, calm hovering or swimming in the water column; when disturbed, the shrimp darts away quickly. Specialist profiles describe it as peaceful but also sensitive to disturbance and strong flow. Choose tankmates carefully: matching temperature and pH does not prove a calm pairing. Active fish may disrupt natural behavior or eat young shrimp. Provide cover and distribute food. These are not exclusively bottom-dwelling animals and need open swimming space. A secure lid is sensible.

Feeding

This species is omnivorous and is described as feeding on biofilm, algae, detritus and fine foods. Offer small portions distributed through the aquarium so the shrimp can find them. Sinking shrimp food or finely divided complete food may supplement natural grazing; keep leaf litter and natural growth available. Avoid overfeeding because leftovers degrade water quality. No product in the central catalogue has been individually checked for composition, particle size and application to this species. Therefore no commercial food is recommended or linked.

Breeding

Under suitable conditions, the female carries eggs beneath her abdomen. A field study at Banco stream examined 116 egg-bearing females and reported 5–16 oocytes per brood, averaging about eleven. The field study describes year-round reproduction but does not establish an aquarium protocol. Aquarium sources describe direct development: young hatch as formed miniature shrimp and do not require a free-swimming larval stage in brackish water. Keep observations from your own animals; numbers and timing may differ. Stable water, calm conditions, adequate food and protection for juveniles are more defensible than a universal recipe.

Keeping with fish

Sources differ on how suitable fish tankmates are. my-fish reports that fish may disturb this shrimp, while other aquarium profiles suggest calm small fish as possible companions. This does not prove compatibility with every fish species. We discourage active mid-water swimmers such as neon tetras when the goal is natural hovering behavior or successful breeding. This relation is a cautious, source-based assessment, not a controlled species-pair trial. A dedicated tank is preferable for a breeding group; if you combine them, watch for stress and juvenile losses.

Keeping with other invertebrates

There is insufficient species-pair evidence to recommend particular other shrimp or snails without qualification. Hobby sources describe this shrimp as peaceful and mention cohabitation with snails or dwarf shrimp as possible, but recommendations vary in strength. Different species may compete for biofilm and food; freshly moulted or very young animals can also be vulnerable. Provide multiple shelters and feed carefully. The database therefore does not show a generic “suitable” card for another invertebrate without checked parameters and an appropriate species-specific source. Separate housing is the most predictable option for a pure breeding line.

Exoskeleton, shell and minerals

Like other crustaceans, this shrimp moults as it grows. A discarded translucent exoskeleton is usually normal and need not be removed immediately. Animals are vulnerable around moulting, so calm areas and fine cover help. Sources do not provide a consistent, independently verified mineral recipe for this species. Measure GH and KH instead of adding minerals or salt on guesswork. If moulting repeatedly fails, also check temperature, ammonia, nitrite, copper exposure and the stability of water changes. A single moulting problem is not a diagnosis.

Possible problems

Key risks include strong current, continual disturbance by tankmates, escape when startled, unstable water and unsuitable medication. Copper-based treatments can be hazardous to invertebrates, so always check active ingredients before use. Keep the aquarium mature and feed modestly. If the shrimp stop hovering, first review shelters, flow, oxygen, temperature and water quality. The image is deliberately a placeholder: an exact-species photo was found, but no verifiable reuse license. No potentially copyrighted image is copied.

Sources & review

This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .

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