Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus, (Costa 2006)
History

This species is originally described as Simpsonichthys mediopapillatus. Alternative name: Hypsolebias mediopapillatus.

Costa (2006) placed this taxon in the, by him new erected subgenus Hypsolebias. Hypsolebias was then elevated to genus status (Costa 2011).

The new classification is not followed herein because of unstable diagnoses and Hypsolebias is still considered to be a subgenus of the genus Simpsonichthys.

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

  
Simpsonichthys (Hypsolebias) mediopapillatus, male. Location: 8 km S. Pindai, Bahia State, E. Brasil. The pair on the photos, were sent by Mr. Fred Behrmann to T. Terceira in order to make photos of this species. Thank you Fred and Tony. Image made by Tony Terceira, USA.
Simpsonichthys (Hypsolebias) mediopapillatus, female. Location: 8 km S. Pindai, Bahia State, E. Brasil. The pair on the photos, were sent by Mr. Fred Behrmann to T. Terceira in order to make photos of this species. Thank you Fred and Tony. Image made by Tony Terceira, USA.
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Reproduction

The care and breeding of species of the genus Simpsonichthys is for advanced enthusiasts. Propagation is not the only thing that needs extra attention. First, it is not easy to purchase the species because these species are rarely offered. Simpsonichthys are fish that deposit their eggs piece by piece by diving deep into the substrate. They are moderately productive and their eggs generally have an incubation period of 2,5 to 3 months at a storage temperature of 25 to 28 C. However, it is advisable to check at an earlier date for eggs that develop before then. Experience of some breders has shown that eggs are ready to hatch even after 5 to 6 weeks. In some species the developed eggs are very dark in color and therefore it is difficult to see the iris inside the egghull and that makes it difficult to see what state the eggs are in.

Always try out just a few of the eggs before putting all the peat in the water. Such a test is necessary to recognize if the hatchlings will not remain belly sliders and thus will swim well.

 

  

It is best to use rainwater because Simpsonichthys is sensitive to calcium-rich water. The best temperature for watering is 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. The young are relatively large when they hatch because their eggs are also quite large. They can eat Artmia immediately after hatching and after a few weeks also much larger live foods such as sieved Daphnia. After 6 weeks the youngsters are already able to produce the first eggs. Their life expectancy in captivity can reach up to 1.5 years. But in nature they do not live long because their pool goes dry after 7 to 8 months.
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Variations
Simpsonichthys (Hypsolebias) mediopapillatus, male. Location: 8 km S. Pindai, Bahia State, E. Brasil. Image taken from original description
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Map

   
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Meristics

Max. size 6.0 cm.
Dorsal 21.5,
Anal 22.0,
D/A 5.3,
LL scale count (average)29.0
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 48.2 %
Depth to % SL – 29.5 %

   
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Literature
Costa, W.J.E.M. 2006. Three new species of seasonal Killifishes of the Simpsonichthys antenori species Group (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the Rio Sao Francisco Basin, Brazil. Zootaxa, 1306: 30, figs. 4-6.
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