So far Simpsonichthys adornatus is known from temporary puddles and ponds located around Sitio do Mato/Bahia on the left Bank of the Rio São Francisco. The species have thus its distribution within the boundaries of the Simpsonichthys-Hot-Spot in the middle section of the Rio. During my trip Brazil 2008-I was able to catch 2 different populations of Simpsonichthys adornatus. Both are easily distinguished from each other in the males coloration. Only both population’s female coloration leads back to one nominal species: S. adornatus.
Biotope E-BR 41-08 Rio Corrente
water parameter (February 2008)
Temperature
26
ºC
pH
7.2
Conductivity (EC)
100
µS/cm
Hardness General
3
ºGH
Hardness Carbonate
3
ºKH
Nitrite
< 0.3
mg/l
Total Dissolved Solution (TDS)
50
ppm
Biotope E-BR 41-08 certainly belongs to the most beautiful habitats of annual Cyprinodontiformes in Brazil. The biotope is located close to the BA161 on the northern bank of the Rio Corrente, which is a tributary to the Rio São Francisco.
It’s a limnic pond roughly sized 40 m x 30 m which serves a cattle tank like many other habitats of annual killies in state of Bahia. Unlike to others this one is fringed by trees and thus possesses a shady environment. The tea brown water was very clear, almost transparent (low turbidity).
The Rio Corrente is a smaller sized tributary to the Rio São Francisco.
Biotope E-BR 41-08 is located in the northern floodplains, which is on image’s right side.
Biotope E-BR 41-08 was covered by plentiful vegetation: Echinodorus, Nymphaea, some floating plants. Due to partially dense vegetation fishing was not easy at all.
The water was knee deep at its deepest point. The bottom was a mixture consisting of loam and sand.
The bulk of the puddle was covered by this plant blossoming in beautiful light blue.
This is Simpsonichthys adornatus E-BR 41-08 Rio Corrente
Simpsonichthys adornatus was the only fish species in E-BR 41-08. After fishing more than 2 hours I managed to catch a male.
Females of Simpsonichthys adornatus were abundant. The ratio male/female was 1:40. Each fish’s color pattern is different. This pattern leads one to the nominal species S. adornatus.
water parameter (February 2008)
Temperature
30
ºC
pH
7.4
Conductivity (EC)
40
µS/cm
Hardness General
1
ºGH
Hardness Carbonate
1
ºKH
Nitrite
< 0.3
mg/l
Total Dissolved Solution (TDS)
20
ppm
Biotope E-BR 42-08 Sitio do Mato
Directly located at the BA161 towards Sitio do Mato biotope E-BR 42-08 is not just a little southern from the type locality of Simpsonichthys adornatus according to its initial description (COSTA, 2000).
S. adornatus was not the only fish species in Biotope E-BR 42-08, but accompanied by a not yet identified Cynolebias sp.
Biotope E-BR 42-08: 50 m x 25 m, 1,2 m deep, sandy-loamy bottom, plenty of submerse vegetation.
Marco Endruweit, 2008-5-24, modified 2008-6-28
Shallow areas of biotope E-BR 42-08. The puddle was directly exposed to the merciless sun shine.
Tadpoles of interesting high back shape in abundance.
My skills are very poor when it comes to ID amphibians, could please anybody help me (genus/species)?
Since the puddle is rather deep, there are also predators preying upon S. adornatus. This is a splendid female of Cynolebias gibbus Costa, 2001.
Close up profile of the Cynolebiasgibbus in E-BR 42-08.
In February 2008 the ratio of Simpsonichthys/ Cynolebias was 9:1
Simpsonichthys adornatus from E-BR 42-08 is very similar to the type locality strain from ponds located North of Sitio do Mato.
This specimen shows bite marks probably from Cynolebias.
Female. The ratio male/female was more or less equal.
