Norman's Lampeye

About

Norman's Lampeye (Poropanchax normani) is a small, slender fish from the rivers, brooks, and swampy shallows of West and Central Africa, with a range that stretches across an impressive band of countries from Senegal in the west all the way to Chad and Cameroon in the east. The defining feature is right there in the name. That iridescent blue-white gleam around the eye catches the light beautifully, especially when a group is moving together under a well-placed lamp. Unlike many of its killifish relatives, this species is not seasonal, meaning you won't need to deal with eggs in peat moss or dried-out habitats. In the aquarium it's a peaceful, shoaling fish that cruises the middle of the water column in a loose group, and like most small fish it will tuck itself away into cover if something spooks it. A planted setup with some open swimming space suits it well and mirrors its natural preference for vegetated edges in slow or gentle water. Keep it in a group of at least six or eight to bring out the best behavior. It's generally considered a forgiving species to maintain, though its small size and preference for softer, slightly acidic water put it in intermediate rather than beginner territory.