It shares this name with other Nimbochromis species due to their hunting technique, which involves lying motionless on the bottom, sometimes on its side as if feigning death, until small fish approach to investigate, then pouncing on the prey.
It shares this name with other Nimbochromis species due to their hunting method, which includes remaining motionless on the bottom, sometimes lying sideways as if pretending to be dead, until small fish come close to investigate, then attacking the prey.