Flameus Pearl Fish (Hypsolebias flammeus)

Overview

Flameus Pearl Fish is the Petra-listed Cynolebias flammeus, now indexed by FishBase and other modern references as Hypsolebias flammeus. The older Cynolebias name is retained here as supplier and hobby-search context, and Simpsonichthys flammeus is also seen in older annual-killifish literature.

This is a specialist Brazilian annual killifish, supplied at 3-4 cm. It is not a general community-tank filler; it is best for experienced keepers who can provide a covered species aquarium, small live or frozen foods, stable warm water and a planned spawning medium. FishBase gives the adult planning size at about 6 cm total length, so the supplied fish should be treated as young stock with more growth and colour still to come.

Quick Facts

• Current scientific name: Hypsolebias flammeus
• Supplier/older name: Cynolebias flammeus
• Other older combination: Simpsonichthys flammeus
• Common name: Flameus Pearl Fish
• Family: Rivulidae, Cynolebiinae
• Origin: Tocantins River basin, Brazil
• Conservation: FishBase lists the species as Endangered
• Supplied size: 3-4 cm
• Adult planning size: up to about 6 cm total length
• Temperature: 22-26 C
• pH and hardness: pH 6.5-7.0, about 5-8 dGH
• Best setup: covered species aquarium with plants, gentle flow and peat or coco-coir spawning media
• Breeding type: bottom-spawning annual killifish; FishBase records an incubation period around four months

Appearance and Source Photo

The exact Petra source image for this SKU shows a compact, deep-bodied annual killifish with a pale yellow to greenish upper body, blue-green lower body, orange-red spotting across the back and flanks, and a bold blue to violet anal and caudal area. The anal and caudal fins show barred patterning, and the male has the vivid, flame-like colour that gives the fish its trade name.

The existing aquarium-scene images remain in the gallery as supporting views, but the Petra source photo is the factual reference for this listing.

Natural Habitat and Annual Life Cycle

Hypsolebias flammeus is a South American annual killifish from Brazil. FishBase places it in the Tocantins River basin, and Wikispecies records the type locality as a marsh near the junction of the Rio Bezerra and Rio Parana at Arraias, Tocantins. Killi Club de France also places the species in the South American annual group and gives Brazil as its distribution.

Annual killifish are shaped by temporary habitats. In nature, adults grow, feed and spawn while seasonal water is available. Eggs remain in the bottom substrate through the dry phase and hatch when water returns. In the aquarium this means the fish needs more than a decorative planted tank: it needs a managed, species-first setup with suitable spawning media and stable, clean water.

Aquarium Setup

Plan a minimum 40-litre aquarium for a pair or carefully watched small group. A tight-fitting lid is essential because killifish are capable jumpers, especially when newly settled or startled. Use gentle filtration, such as an air-driven sponge filter, and avoid hard current. Floating plants, fine-leaved plants, moss, leaf litter and dark background cover all help the fish feel secure and show better colour.

For substrate, keep the display easy to clean and provide a removable spawning box, jar or tray containing peat fibre or well-rinsed coco coir. This keeps maintenance practical and makes egg collection less disruptive. The fish will appreciate calm edges and cover more than open bright water, so subdued lighting is usually better than a hard, exposed aquascape.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 22-26 C
• pH: 6.5-7.0
• Hardness: about 5-8 dGH
• Water quality: zero ammonia and nitrite, low nitrate, steady maintenance

This is a difficult-care species because stability matters. Avoid sudden changes, heavy feeding without cleanup, or busy tankmates that force the fish to compete. Warm, clean, lightly acidic to neutral water is a better target than chasing constant chemical adjustment.

Feeding

Feed as a small carnivorous annual killifish. Live and frozen foods are strongly preferred: newly hatched or small brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, mosquito larvae, bloodworm and other fine invertebrate foods are all useful. Some individuals may learn prepared foods, but dry food should not be the main plan for conditioning or breeding.

Offer small portions once or twice daily and remove waste quickly. The fish is small, so good feeding is about quality and consistency rather than large meals. A varied live/frozen diet also supports colour, body condition and courtship behaviour.

Temperament and Compatibility

Flameus Pearl Fish are generally peaceful, but they are best treated as a species aquarium project. Males may display strongly to one another, and annual killifish can be outcompeted by fast-feeding community fish. Keeping them on their own, or as a carefully watched pair or trio, makes it much easier to manage feeding, breeding and stress.

Avoid large fish, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids, fast barbs, busy livebearers and any species that need very different water. This listing is written for keepers who want to maintain the fish well, not simply add a rare name to a mixed tank.

Breeding Notes

FishBase records Hypsolebias flammeus as a bottom spawner with an incubation period around four months. In practice, that means the spawning medium is usually removed, checked and stored damp rather than submerged. Keep peat or coco coir moist but not waterlogged, sealed from drying out, and warm enough for normal development.

South American annual killifish egg incubation varies by species, temperature and the keeper's method. A patient test-hatch approach is safer than assuming every egg is ready on the same day. This is one reason the fish is labelled difficult: the adult care is manageable, but breeding and fry work require planning and observation.

Delivery and Arrival

Your fish will be packed for live-animal courier delivery, with oxygen, insulation and dispatch timing chosen around weather and livestock welfare. On arrival, dim the lights, float the bag to equalise temperature, and acclimate slowly to the prepared aquarium. The Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the delivery and acclimation instructions are followed.

Source Notes

This listing was checked against FishBase for current name, distribution, size, temperature, bottom-spawning and aquarium difficulty; Wikispecies for older name combinations and type-locality context; Killi Club de France for South American annual and Brazil context; Encyclopedia of Life for freshwater habitat and adult-size confirmation; Petra supplier data for supplied size, image, stock and original care range.