 Hypsolebias pterophyllus, |
History
This species was originally described in the genus Hypsolebias.
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, F. Pupo and E. Araujo, February 14. 1999.
Etymology: with a wing (from Greek: pteron) as a leaf (from Greek: phyllon), in reference to the long Dorsal and Anal fins in males, and to the superficial similarity with Pterophyllum scalare Lichtenstein, an Amazonian cichlid fish with long Dorsal and Anal and dark bars on body sides.
Superspecies-components:
H. coamazonicus, faouri, flagellatus, flavicaudatus, ghisolfii, gilbertobrasili, guanambi, heloplites, igneus, janaubensis, macaubensis, martinsi, mediopapillatus, nitens, nudiorbitatus, pterophyllus, radiseriatus, sertanejo.
Diagnosis: 8-10 dark vertical bars on male sides ; male, with a broad black margin on Anal ; Dorsal and Caudal pale blue to white dotted, and dark filaments on rear Dorsal and Anal ; female, distinctive, with more vertical bars and two series of black blotches on mid sides and peduncle ; separated from the very related flagellatus by lacking black and brilliant spots on anterobasal part of male Dorsal (Costa, 2003a).
Miscellaneous comments by Huber, in KilliDataOmline:
only known by the description and a molecular study; both species H. pterophyllus and H. sertanejo corresponds to a restriction in definition of H. flagellatus, with many localities of H. flagellatus being transferred to them {not mentioned in the description}; since the species is described in the genus Hypsolebias (sensu Costa, 2010c), the name is herein changed as a new combination ; the heloplites superspecies (or antenori) is placed into Hypsolebias, but Ponzetto et al. (2016) molecularly show for H. coamazonicus, H. flagellatus, H. heloplites, H. igneus, pterophyllus, that they are paraphyletic with the remaining components of the taxon.
Etymology: with a wing (from Greek: pteron) as a leaf (from Greek: phyllon), in reference to the long Dorsal and Anal fins in males, and to the superficial similarity with Pterophyllum scalare Lichtenstein, an Amazonian cichlid fish with long Dorsal and Anal and dark bars on body sides.
Reproduction
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.
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Variations
Map
Meristics
Max. size 0.0 cm.
Dorsal 00.0,
Anal 00.0,
D/A 0.0,
LL scale count (average) 00.0
Pre- dorsal length to % SL – 00.0 %
Depth to % SL – 00.0 %
Literature
Costa W.J.E.M., P.F. Amorim & J.L.O. Mattos. 2012. Species delimination in annual killifishes from the Brazilian Caatinga, the Hypsolebias flavicaudatus complex (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae): implications for taxonomy and conservation.