Breeding this species is difficult and for experienced aquarists. They do not need special tanks or water conditions but the eggs are very small and the fry, that will develop in the eggs in about 3 months, need to have very small plankton or infusoria in the first week or two. After that period fresh artemia nauplii can be given also. It is wise to put one male with several females in an breeding tank together. The male can be a little aggressive in his behaviour to the females. Better is it, if you have many animals, to put an group of males and females together in an bigger tank with a lot of hidingplaces and several dishes to spawn.

Eggs are put on- in- and above the substrate that should be a layer of cooked and rinsed peatmoss that is kept free of pollution. To avoid the mix with food or detritus it is advised to put the spawning medium in a low dish on the bottom. Rins it very good after collecting and store the peat in warm condition from about 25 C.
They can be very productive but still this species is not widely spread among hobbyists because of small availability and varius breeding results.

Valdesalici S., D.T.B. Nielsen, R. Brousseau and J. Phunkner, 2016. Papiliolebias habluetzeli (Cyprinodontiformes: Cynolebiidae) a new miniature annual fish from the upper Rio Mamoré basin, Bolivia. Aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology. vol. 22 no. 4, 155-164