This species was initially described in the genus Simpsonichthys.

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.

Discoverer(s): Wilson J.E.M. Costa, A.C.L.H. Bacellar, F.M. Pupo and E.S. Araujo, May 6. 1999.

Etymology: fire (from Latin: ignis), in reference to the red-orange color pattern of Anal fin in male.

Type locality: Igarité (22 km north of the village, subseq.), rio Sao Francisco basin, Bahia state, Brasil (altitude 433 m).

Superspecies-components: 

Hypsolebias igneus is part of the so called "flavicaudatus species group" that consists of: Hypsolebias antenori, H. igneus, H. flagellatus, H. flavicaudatus, H. ghisolfii, H. guanambi, H. janaubensis, H. macaubensis and H. mediopapillatus.

Diagnosis:

separated from related species by the orange color of Anal and Pectoral fins, by a broad black margin at anal, the blue vertical border at caudal and the posterior filaments at dorsal and anal in male ; female, with dark centered blotch and bars on sides ; diagnosed from other components of the superspecies by having 7 ventral rays (not 6) and by the less prominent side bars in life and preserved specimens (Costa, 2000).

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.

Remarks:

The photos below show a crossing of female H. igneus (Igarité) and male H. antenori, Limoeiro do Northe, Bahia. The distance between the two types- localities as the crow flies is about 885 km. The offspring, in turn, were able to produce healthy eggs. I did not go beyond the first generation due to lack of space and the fact that such cross-breeding products should not be distributed in the hobby.

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Max. size 6.0 cm.
Dorsal 22.0,
Anal 23.0,
D/A 3.0,
LL scale count (average)29.5
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 58.5 %
Depth to % SL – 29.0 %

Costa, W.J.E.M. 2000. Descricioes de quatro novas especies de peixes annuais do genero Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) das Bacias dos Rios Sao Francisco e Parana, nerdeste e centro do Brasil. Revista Aquarium, 3 (25): 10, figs 3-4.

Costa, W.J.E.M., P.F. Amorim & P.H.N. Bragança. 2014. Species Limits and phylogenetic Relationships of red-finned cryptic species of the seasonal killifish genus Hypsolebias from the Brazilian semi-arid Caatinga (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research (J. Zool. Syst. Evol. Res.), 52 (1) (February): 52-58, figs.