Sierra leone dwarf characin (Ladigesia roloffi)

Scientific name: Ladigesia roloffi G?ry, 1968

Sierra leone dwarf characin (Ladigesia roloffi)

The Sierra leone dwarf characin (Ladigesia roloffi) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows to about 3.1 cm (1.2 in). It is peaceful, is best kept in a species tank and needs a tank of at least 55 L (15 US gal), water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.1. Native range: Africa, Kasewe in the Gbangbaia basin (small stream systems west of Jong) and Sewa River in Sierra Leone.

Sierra leone dwarf characin care at a glance

Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Not suitable
Adult size
3.1 cm (1.2 in)
Minimum tank
55 L (15 US gal)
Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)
pH
6.0–7.1
Hardness
2–10 dGH (36–178 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, pellets, freeze-dried foods, bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Biology

Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 13 - 14. Small sized fish with incomplete lateral line and naked dorsal part (of about 3 scales wide) from behind the opercle to the adipose fin. Parietal fontanel not closed. Part of paired fins and area above eye are glossy bright red. Non branched rays of dorsal and caudal and the tips of branched rays are black. No humeral spot. Gill rakers on first ceratobranch.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Ladigesia roloffi
Family
Alestidae (African tetras)
Order
Characiformes (Characins)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
3.1
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.0; dH range: ? - 10 pelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Kasewe in the Gbangbaia basin (small stream systems west of Jong) and Sewa River in Sierra Leone. Reported from the Du River in Liberia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Endangered (EN) (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

More tetras & characins

See all tetras & characins

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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