All fish / Procatopodidae

Norman's lampeye

Poropanchax normani

Also known as normans lampeye, norman's lampeye killifish, lampeye killifish, blue-eyed panchax, lamp eye, aplocheilichthys normani, micropanchax normani, norman lampeye, ノーマンズ・ランプアイ, ランプアイ, 诺曼灯眼鳉, 灯眼鳉

A small, slim killifish with a translucent silvery body and a bright, glowing blue spot at the top of each eye, which shines under aquarium lighting. It is kept for its lively shoaling near the surface and because it suits calm, planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 8 or more

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp and cyclops, plus fine flakes

Swims

Top of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 3 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

West and Central Africa: Senegal to Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Niger and Nile basins

Breeding

An egg scatterer that lays eggs among fine-leaved plants or floating roots over several days, and the eggs hatch in about 10 to 14 days. Breeding is fairly easy in a planted species tank, but adults eat eggs and fry, so remove eggs or use dense cover.

Good to know

Very small and timid, so avoid keeping it with large or boisterous fish that may eat or bully it. Keep the tank covered because it can jump.