This species was originally described as Simpsonichthys brunoi.

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

Type locality: near Vila Boa, ribeirao Canabrava floodplains, Goias state, central eastern Brasil.

Etymology: in honor of Bruno Bove da Costa, son of the describer and co-discoverer of the species.

Diagnosis: diagnosed from flammeus by the shorter base of Dorsal, by the less deep body, by the presence of melanophores on anterior part of Dorsal (fin) and by the green color on opercular region and upper anterior sides (vs. respectively blue and red) (Costa, 2003a).

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 4.0 cm.
Dorsal 19,
Anal 21.0,
D/A 1.1,
LL scale count (average)26.5
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 48.6 %

Costa, W.J.E.M. 2003. The Simpsonichthys flavicaudatus species group (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cinolebiatinae): phylogenetic Relationships, taxonomic Revision and Biogeography. Ichtyol. Explor. Frashwaters, 14 (1)

Nielsen, D.T.B., J.C. da Cruz & A.C. Jr. Baptista. 2012. A new species of annual fish, Hypsolebias tocantinensis sp.n. (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio Tocantins basin, northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, 3527: 63-71, 6 figs.

Nielsen, D.T.B., M. Martins, L.A. Medeiros & R.R. Suzart. 2014. Hypsolebias shibattai, a new species of annual fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio São Francisco basin, northeastern Brazil. Aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 20 (1) (January): 27-34, figs.

Ponzetto, J.M., R. Britzke, D.T.B. Nielsen, P.P. Parise-Maltempi & A.L. Alves. 2016. Phylogenetic Relationships of Simpsonichthys subgenera (Cyprinodontiformes, Rivulidae), including a Proposal for a new genus. Zoologica Scripta, 45 ( 4) (July 2016): 394-406 [epub: 2016, doi: 10.1111/zsc.12159]