W. Costa (2006) assigned many members of the genus Simpsonichthys to the subgenus Hypsolebias (Costa 2006). Hypsolebias was subsequently elevated to a genus (Costa 2011). According to some scientists, the separation of Hypsolebias from the genus Simpsonichthys is insufficiently substantiated and, therefore, debatable.

Type locality: Prazeres {Santa Rita de Cassia}, rio Preto, rio Sao Francisco basin, Bahia state, altitude 522 m, (northeastern) Brasil.

Discoverer(s): Mayler Martins, Amer Faour, Fabio Origuela de Lira and Luciano Medeiros de Araujo, January 25. 2014.

Etymology: in honor of Spanish aquarist and environmentalist Amer Faour, co-discoverer of the species.

Superspecies-components: 

H. coamazonicus, faouri, flagellatus, flavicaudatus, ghisolfii, gilbertobrasili, guanambi, heloplites, igneus, janaubensis, macaubensis, martinsi, mediopapillatus, nitens, nudiorbitatus, pterophyllus, radiseriatus, sertanejo.

Diagnosis: diagnosed from related components of the H. heloplites superspecies by inconspicuous bars on male sides (in preserved specimens) (also in igneus) (vs. bars visible in live and preserved specimens), by a different anal fin color pattern in male, with anterior 2 thirds orange and posterior portion yellow, with bluish white dots, blue spot on tip, and black distal margin (Britzke, Nielsen & Oliveira, 2016).

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:

Look for detailed info on this species at: https://www.killi-data.org/ Membership is free!

Max. S.L. 50.9 mm. Male only.
Dorsal 21–22 in males, 15 in females
Anal 24 in males, 22 in females
D/A 0.0,
LL scale count (average) 30–32
Depth to % SL – 38.0 %

Britzke R., Nielsen D.T.B., Oliveira C. 2016
Description of two new species of annual fishes of the Hypsolebias antenori species group (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), from Northeast Brazil. Zootaxa, 4114 (2): 123-138, 7 figs., 2 tabs.

Nielsen, D.T.B., M. Martins, L.A. Medeiros, F.L. Origuela & A.M. Faour. 2018. Cynolebias akroa, a new species of annual fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio Preto, São Francisco basin, northeastern Brazil. Aqua, Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, 23 (4).