Alternative name: Laimosemion altivelis

The images of the fishes to the right are not the real Rivulus altivelis but could be close related to that taxon. The fish on the photo was collected on Brazilian territory by Fabio Origuela de Lira (an anthropologyst that works often with amerindian tribes) . During his trips he collects Rivulus sometimes.

With the species in this group it shares long ventral fins and a spade- like shape of the caudal fin. Dr. Jean Huber states however that his R. altivelis can be separated by its smaller fins in males and the spade- like caudal....but the specimen available to Huber were not adult as it seems and no other material was available for further research on that point. New sampling in the region, also on the Colombian side can bring more clearnes to this.

Keeping and breeding is not easy and a good cover on the aquarium is necessary because there ability to jump, even through the smallest opening, is unbelievable.

This species can, if there is enough space for them, be housed in a tank with more than one male and several females. However, if separated and then reintroduced they can be very aggressive towards each other and fight to decide the dominant male. The best way to produce numbers of fry is to put a pair or a trio in a small tank of about 20 litres with a small filter in it or with some aeration. On the bottom place some peat moss or dark gravel and a floating "mop" to give an area for egg laying. The fish will, if they are fed a rich variety of live food, spawn during their whole adult life and produce between 5 to 15 eggs daily.

The eggs should be collected by hand and stored possible for about 3 months in a small container or in peat. Eggs are 2 mm and amber coloured. It is wise to add anti fungus agent to the water you store the eggs in, to prevent fungus attacks. After hatching the young fry can eat fresh artemia nauplii without any problem. It takes 5 to 6 months to raise them to maturity.

Their lifespan can be up to 3 years in captivity.

Remarks :

The species was never available in life to aquarists and for that I assume the species does need the same treatment as R. tecminae.