This species was originally described as Simpsonichthys carlettoi.

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

Type locality: near Guanambi, off the road to Malhada, Bahia state, northeastern Brasil, altitude about 500 m.

Discoverer(s): A. Carletto and D. T. Nielsen, January 2002.

Diagnosis: distinguished from H. magnificus and H. picturatus by having pointed dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. rounded) and distal border of unpaired fins of males not distinctively pigmented (vs. unpaired fins with black border) ; unpaired fins of male with transverse rows of small, bright greenish blue spots close together, sometimes united to form bright vermiculate markings and pectoral fins, red in males (Costa & Nielsen, 2004).

Superspecies-components:

H. adornatus, alternatus, brunoi, caeruleus, carlettoi, delucai, fasciatus, flammeus, fulminantis, gardneri, hamadryades, harmonicus, hellneri, longignatus, lopesi, magnificus, multiradiatus, ocellatus, picturatus, shibattai, splendissimus, tocantinensis, trifasciatus.

Species of this genus 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 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 24.5,
Anal 22.0,
D/A 4.0,
LL scale count (average)26.0
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 44.9 %

Costa W.J.E.M. & D.T.B. Nielsen, 2004. Simpsonichthys carlettoi (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) a new annual Fish from the Rio Sao Francisco basin, north eastern Brazil. Aqua, Journal of Ichtyology and Aquatic Biology, 8 (3): 126, figs. 1-3