They occur in densely vegetated streams and swamps where seasonal droughts deplete their ability to process oxygenated water.

As a "living fossil," one of their stabilomorphic traits is that similarly to stem-tetrapods, they use a blowhole-like organ called a spiracle to take breaths of atmospheric oxygen.

These gills are large and have branching, featherlike architecture to maximize surface area for oxygen exchange to compensate for the young fish's underdeveloped respiratory system.

Due to its retention of this organ and elongate, nostril-like structures called nares, P. mokelembembe has a very precise sense of smell.

It is only very occasionally exported outside of Africa, and because this species is highly desired by Polypterid collectors, they tend to be difficult to obtain for hobbyists.

Because of the confusion about the name of this fish and the fact that it is often mistaken for P. retropinnis by importers and wholesalers, great care must be taken to ensure that the right species is purchased.