Boitone's Pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) Care Guide
Simpsonichthys boitonei is a small annual killifish endemic to Brazil, living in seasonal pools of the upper Parana basin.
Overview
Simpsonichthys boitonei is a small annual killifish described by Carvalho in 1959 (formerly placed in Cynolebias). It is endemic to Brazil, where FishBase records it from the upper Parana River basin. As an annual species it completes its life cycle within a single rainy season, persisting through the dry period as drought-resistant eggs in the substrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Rivulidae
- Genus: Simpsonichthys
- Scientific name: Simpsonichthys boitonei
- Former synonym: Cynolebias boitonei
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the upper Parana River basin in Brazil at roughly 15-16°S. As an annual killifish it occupies temporary freshwater bodies that fill during the rains and dry out seasonally, a habitat type characteristic of the Brazilian Cerrado.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 30 L (about 8 gal)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F); FishBase lists 20-24 °C
- pH: 6-7
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Lifespan: about 1 year (annual species)
Diet
The species is carnivorous and is best fed small live and frozen foods. In the aquarium it is generally fed twice daily. As a small killifish it favours items such as microworms, brine shrimp and similar small invertebrate fare.
Compatibility
FishBase describes it as a peaceful community fish. It is typically kept in a single-species harem of one male with several females. Robust or aggressive tankmates should be avoided given its small size and gentle temperament.
Breeding
FishBase describes the species as a bottom spawner with an incubation period of about two months. As an egg-burier, the eggs are deposited in the substrate and undergo a dry diapause, hatching when rewetted, which mirrors the seasonal drying of its natural pools.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: FishBase cites Endangered, B1ab(iii,iv) (assessed 18 May 2022); Wikipedia references an older Vulnerable listing. The restricted Cerrado range makes the species sensitive to habitat loss.