This species was originally described as Simpsonichthys adornatus.

Costa (2006) placed this taxon in the, then new erected, subgenus Hypsolebias (Costa 2006) and in 2011 Costa elevated the Hypsolebias subgenus to full genus. The new classification is discussed because of unstable diagnoses and Hypsolebias is considered to be a subgenus of the genus Simpsonichthys

Now it is placed in the genus Hypsolebias (Costa 2011). H. adornatus belongs to the H. magnificus species group.

Discoverer(s): Wilson J.E.M. Costa, F.M. Pupo and E.S. Araujo, February 12. 1999.

Range: known only from type area, in rio Sao Francisco basin, Bahia state, eastern Brasil. Type locality: Sitio de Mato, rio Sao Francisco basin, Bahia state, Brasil (altitude 463 m).

Etymology: ornated (from Latin: ornatus) towards (from Latin prefix: ad-), in reference to the anterior ornament and to the long based Dorsal fin in male.

Diagnosis: unique large-based and anteriorly inserted dorsal fin in male ; longitudinal series of silver dots (brown in female) on male blue sides and unpaired fins, except anterior part of dorsal fin, with flames ; female, with two vertical dark spots on peduncle.

This species can be productive, and the fry is small. Immediately after hatching, the fry should be fed with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii (brine shrimp) or better Paramecium. As most annual species do, they spawn by diving entirely into the substrate. It is best to provide a container with a lid on top in which a hole is made to allow the fish access. That container will need to have enough peat in it for the fish to dive completely into it. For most Hypsolebias species, egg development is complete after 8-10 weeks. However, it is wise also to check a few weeks earlier to see if any eggs have fully developed. Do not let the peat dry too far because the Hypsolebias like it moist. The development will be slower at storage temperatures between 21 and 24 Celsius and speed up at 25-29 Celsius. Before watering the eggs, put some eggs in the water of about 18-20 degrees Celsius to see if the eggs hatch

correctly. That usually happens within 2-6 hours. Then, if eggs hatched well and fry, swim correctly, bring all remaining peat in the water. You may need to re-pack the peat after pouring over the first group of fry to a larger tank. With regular water changes and sufficient food, the young will grow quickly, and after about 5-6 weeks, they can already produce their first eggs. Since this genus has an annual life cycle, the expected life span in captivity is not much more than 10 to 12 months. Their life expectancy is limited to when their pool still has water in the wild. This period can vary from 6 to 8 months.

Remark:

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Max. size 6.0 cm.
Dorsal 30.1,
Anal 22.5,
D/A 6,
LL scale count (average)28
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 30.6 %

Costa W.J.E.M. 2000. Descricoes de quatro novas especies de peixes annuais do genero Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) das Baicasdos Rios Sao Francisco e Parana, nordeste e centro do Brasil. Revista Aquarium. 3 (25): 9, figs. 1-2.

Costa, W.J.E.M. 2006b. Descriptive Morphology and phylogenetic Relationships among species of the Neotropical annual Killifish genera Nematolebias and Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae). Neotropical Ichthyology (Neotrop. ichthyol.), 4 (1), 1-26, 22 figs.

Costa, W.J.E.M. 2007h. Taxonomic revision of the seasonal South American killifish genus Simpsonichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheiloidei: Rivulidae). Zootaxa, 1669: 1-134.

Nielsen, D.T.B., O.A. Shibatta, R.R. Suzart & A.M. Faour. 2010. A new species of Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio São Francisco basin, northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, 2452: 51-58.