Norman’s Lampeye Killifish (Poropanchax normani)

The Norman’s Lampeye Killifish (Poropanchax normani) is a tiny West African treasure known for an otherworldly blue shimmer that seems to float above each eye like a captured spark of daylight. In its native range, which includes soft slow waterways in Nigeria, Cameroon, and nearby regions, this delicate fish inhabits calm streams, marshes, and quiet swamp edges where leaf litter, submerged roots, and dense water plants filter the sunlight into gentle shifting patterns. In these serene places the fish moves in loose groups, the glowing eye spot catching and bending every glimmer of light. Even in still water the effect is striking, creating a sense of motion and life that feels far larger than the body of the fish itself. The species reaches only three to four centimeters in length, yet carries a presence that immediately draws attention. Its body is slender and lightly tinted with warm translucent tones that give the eye glow full stage, and its small size allows it to explore fine plant structures with an ease that larger fish cannot match.

In the aquarium Poropanchax normani takes on an even more luminous quality when placed in a planted environment with soft to moderate lighting. Subdued light causes the electric blue eye spot to intensify, giving the school a constellation like appearance as they weave through stems of fine leaf plants and across gentle open water. Customers often describe the fish as peaceful, polite, and endlessly captivating. A group of Normans Lampeyes does not dominate a tank through bright body color or large size. Instead, the fish creates atmosphere through movement and reflection. Its gentle swimming style and small scale beauty make it ideal for planted nanoscale tanks, aquascapes designed around subtle color and refined structure, or any aquarium meant to evoke calm and natural comfort. The species thrives in warm, clean, well oxygenated water with very gentle flow. It adapts quickly to fine prepared foods and shows excellent condition when offered tiny live items such as baby brine shrimp or micro sized larvae. Because the species is social, it should always be kept in groups to ensure natural schooling behavior and full visual impact. When kept in a mature planted tank the fish soon reveals a quiet confidence, spending its time in the midwater zone where the glowing eye spot becomes a soft rhythmic flash that moves with the school.

For aquarists, Normans Lampeye Killifish offers a balance of hardy nature, peaceful temperament, and visual elegance that translates directly into strong retail appeal. Customers respond to the fish in a very direct emotional way. The eye glow is unlike the coloration of other small community species and gives the impression of tiny living lanterns drifting through water. Its manageable size makes it perfect for smaller tanks, while its calm behavior allows it to fit seamlessly into peaceful community settings that include gentle tetras, small rasboras, dwarf cory catfish, and shrimp colonies. It is a species that rewards stable care with consistent beauty, and its reflective eye spot adds a signature visual effect that no artificial lighting or decorative feature can replace. The fish also appeals to aquarists who enjoy creating nature inspired aquascapes, since its subdued body color and flowing group patterns complement plants and hardscape rather than competing with them. Normans Lampeyes bring life, glow, and softness to a tank, and their gentle movement pairs especially well with fine stem plants, floating vegetation, and subtle shadows. These qualities make the fish a reliable and emotionally compelling choice for anyone seeking something small, peaceful, and quietly radiant. These fish do not ship individually bagged.

Common Name:  Norman’s Lampeye Killifish
Scientific Name:  Poropanchax normani
Country of Import:  Czech Republic
Prophylactic Treatment:  Erythromycin / Ich-X / Metro
Approximate Current Size:  1” – 1.25″
Temp/pH/TDS:  75F / 6.5 pH / 80

Please be aware that all fish are sold on a BUY THIS WEEK, SHIP NEXT WEEK basis, and fish are shipped only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Weekly shipping cutoff is EVERY SATURDAY at 12 Noon Pacific US Time. All fish are shipped via Overnight Air/Next Day Air. Minimum order is $50.00 (excluding shipping) and all orders to the lower 48 US States qualify for FLAT RATE $60.00 shipping via Overnight Air/Next Day Air. Hawaii and Alaska State Residents: Please contact us if you would like to purchase Live Animals for delivery.

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