Jelly bean tetra
Ladigesia roloffi
A rare West African characin with an iridescent body and delicate fins — a micro-jewel of just 2–3 cm from the rainforests of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Natural habitat is threatened by deforestation, making captive-bred specimens valuable for conservation. Extremely shy: needs schools of 8–10+ in species-only tanks or with peaceful micro-fish to feel secure. Breeding considered challenging. Soft, acidic water essential.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Middle
Adult size
3 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 55 L
Minimum group
>= 8
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
0 - 7 dKH
TDS
15 - 220 ppm
Conductivity
23 - 344 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Sierra Leone (West Africa), Kasewe river. Inhabits pristine, densely shaded forest streams with variable currents and dead leaf substrates.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Jellybean Tetra / Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin (Ladigesia roloffi). Belonging to the Alestidae (African Tetras). Tiny, semi-transparent and with the peculiar disproportionately long bilobed caudal fin in males.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, hyperactive and obligate gregarious (Minimum 10-15 specimens). Forms very tight schools in mid-water, where males spend their time showing off (sparing) their elongated tails.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Translucent-bronze body, crossed by an iridescent golden line (above) and a thin black one (below). The belly is silver. The dorsal fin and the caudal base are bright red. Males have a caudal with very elongated median filaments.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Community or dedicated "West African" tank (60 cm / 24 inches). Requires a lively water flow (small wavemaker), amber humic water and lots of submerged fronds (Anubias, Bolbitis).
Diet and Feeding: Micro-predator. Because of its tiny mouth it needs powdered foods or finely crumbled flakes. Newly hatched brine shrimp or micro-worms are perfect.
Water Quality: Intolerant to nitrates or pollutants. Requires soft and slightly acidic water. Sudden changes in pH or hardness cause the immediate deterioration of the marvelous tail filaments.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal with Kribensis (Pelvicachromis) if the tank is long enough, or very small African killifish (Epiplatys). In a South American it will go well with pygmy Corydoras and Otocinclus. Easy prey for any fish over 5 cm (2 inches).
Aquarium Breeding: Complicated. Egg-scatterer. Needs a separate small tank with floating wool mops, in which they scatter very few eggs early in the morning. Highly prone to cannibalism, parents must be removed instantly.
Risks and Diseases: Commercial extinction and sensitivity. Rare species, caught in politically unstable areas, often arrives heavily compromised by parasites. Scrupulously isolate (Quarantine) new purchases.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to Sierra Leone (West Africa), Kasewe river. Inhabits pristine, densely shaded forest streams with variable currents and dead leaf substrates.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAfrica and Madagascar
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- This is an exceptionally peaceful and somewhat timid species that relies on the safety of numbers. They become highly stressed and reclusive if kept in groups smaller than six. A quiet, heavily planted environment allows their natural schooling behaviors to shine.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In the wild, it is a micro-predator feeding on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton. Captive specimens readily accept high-quality crushed flakes, micro-pellets, and powdered foods. Supplementing with live or frozen baby brine shrimp greatly enhances their vitality and coloration.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- The Jelly Bean Tetra (Labidochromis roloffi) has a lifespan of approximately 3 to 5 years when kept in optimal aquarium conditions. Their longevity depends heavily on the stability of water parameters, particularly soft, acidic, and clean water. Sudden shifts in water temperature or rises in nitrate levels can cause severe biological stress, shortening their lifespan. Providing a quiet environment with a large school of their own kind and floating plants creates a secure setting that helps them thrive.
- Adult size
- 3 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 3 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3.1 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Ladigesia roloffi (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- School
- Maintaining a specific sex ratio is not strictly required for this schooling fish. Having a balanced group or slightly more females reduces any minor intraspecific chasing. Keeping a group of at least six encourages confident behavior and vibrant male displays.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Due to their small digestive tracts, they benefit from multiple small feedings each day. Providing food two to three times daily ensures they receive optimal nutrition. Care must be taken to offer only what they can consume quickly to prevent water fouling.
- Bioload
- Low
- This tiny characin has an extremely low bioload due to its diminutive size. It produces very little waste, making it highly suitable for nano aquariums. Routine water changes and gentle filtration easily maintain pristine water conditions.
- Flow
- Strong
- They originate from slow-moving African streams and prefer gentle water movement. Strong currents will exhaust them and cause severe chronic stress. Sponge filters are ideal for providing necessary filtration without overwhelming flow.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding this species is challenging and requires very soft, acidic water conditions. They are egg scatterers that provide zero parental care and will eat their own eggs. A dedicated breeding tank with spawning mops and prompt removal of adults is necessary.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- It is highly peaceful and must be kept with equally small, non-aggressive tank mates. Larger or boisterous fish will easily intimidate or consume this fragile species. Small rasboras, dwarf corydoras, and tiny shrimp make the best companions.
- Tank level
- Middle
- They primarily swim in the middle and upper levels of the water column. Dense planting with open swimming spaces provides the ideal balance of security and freedom. Floating plants are highly beneficial as they diffuse light and encourage open swimming.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.4 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 1
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01072, b = 3.02
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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