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: Amontada, near rio Icaraizinho, Ceara state, altitude 42 m, (northeastern) Brasil. Coord. 3°11'13.24"S 39°44'56.44"W

Hypsolebias martinsi is described from an annual pool near Rio Icaraizinho, a coastal drainage. Molecular data corroborates the monophyly of Hypsolebias and both new species.

Discoverer(s): Charly Orly and Dider Pillet, June 2. 2011.

Superspecies-components:

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

The Hypsolebias antenori species group comprises a monophyletic clade of annual fishes occurring in the semi-arid region
of Northeastern Brazil. Most species of this group are found in the Rio São Francisco basin, but there are three species that inhabit small coastal basins.

Hypsolebias martinsi differs from the H. antenori species group by: absence of bars in body (vs. gray bars present only in preserved material), fewer numbers of dots on body and unpaired fins (vs. many dots on body and unpaired fins), 1–2 short black filaments at the tip of dorsal and anal fins (vs. 2–3 long filaments), yellow color absent from unpaired fins (vs. present).

Diagnosis: diagnosed from related components in heloplites superspecies by lack of vertical bars on body (vs. presence of vertical bars at least in preserved specimens), thin metallic greenish line between black distal margin and subdistal zone orange, opaque white dots on body (vs. absence of light white or light blue dots), 1-2 short filaments on dorsal and dnal fins (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:

It is unfortunate that many species that were described never reached the fanciers. This is because newly discovered species are placed in alcohol shortly after their discovery and description. Since Brazilian regulations prohibit the keeping and distribution of these species within their own country and beyond, it is impossible to take photos of these species, and only photos from the original description can be taken.

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

Max. size 34.2 mm SL. Males only.
Dorsal 20 in males, 15–16 in females,
Anal 20 in males, 19 in females,
LL scale count (average) 27–28
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 52.7 %
Depth to % SL – 37.4 %

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.

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