Fishtail Palm Germination:
1) Scarify the seeds with a nail file to slightly break through the surface of the shell, but never too deep. Just enough to make it easier for moisture to soak into them. 
2) Use a thermos to soak them in warm water for 24 hours.
3) Plant seeds appx. 1/4" deep in well mixed and draining seed starting mix. 
4) Use a heated propagator to keep the soil temperature between 80-85 degrees F., and keep them under filtered light.
5) As with most tropical seeds, germination is erratic so don't toss any that don't sprout as early as some. Expect germination to start for a few after 1 month, but most can take all the way up to 3 months.