Ladigesia | |
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A group of Ladigesia roloffi in captivity. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Characiformes |
Family: | Alestidae |
Genus: |
Ladigesia Géry, 1968 |
Species: | L. roloffi
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Binomial name | |
Ladigesia roloffi
Géry, 1968
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Ladigesia roloffi, the Sierra Leone dwarf characin, is a species of harmless African tetra that is found in Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. [2] L. roloffi is the only member of its genus. [3] The fish was named in honor of German aquarist Erhard Roloff (1903–1980), who collected the type specimen. [4] They are a social species generally living in schools at mid depths and surface level fresh water. It lives for five years. Ninety-seven percent of their natural habitat has been lost. [5]
This species measures a length of 3 to 4 centimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in), making it a small fish species. Because of its small size, it is referred to as a "dwarf" animal. [6] It has no anal spines, 16 to 17 anal soft rays and has a incomplete lateral line. It is an elongated fish. [2]
Ladigesia roloffi can be found as an aquarium fish under name jellybean tetra. They prefer soft, acidic water. They will take standard flake food. [7] They are peaceful and lively fish. Their ideal temperature to live in is between 22 and 26 °C (72 and 79 °F). [8]