Ladigesia Roloffi

Ladigesia roloffi, known as Roloff's Dwarf Characin or the Jellybean Tetra, is one of Africa's most visually striking nano fish. Originating from the forest streams of Sierra Leone and Guinea, it inhabits soft, tannin-stained blackwater with dense vegetation and leaf litter. Males in particular display a vivid tricoloured caudal fin of red, black, and yellow.

In the aquarium, this species requires soft, acidic water to truly thrive and show its best colours. A dark substrate, dim lighting, and the addition of dried leaves or peat filtration will closely replicate its natural blackwater environment. It is very peaceful and does well alongside other small West African micro-fish.

Feeding is easy on micro-foods: fine flake, micro-pellets, baby brine shrimp, and micro-worm are all accepted eagerly. Despite its small size, Ladigesia roloffi is a bold, active fish that rarely hides and proves endlessly entertaining in a species-appropriate setup.

Water: Soft and acidic, pH 5.5–7.0, temperature 22–26°C, GH 1–8, KH 0–4. Tank: Minimum 60 L, blackwater or heavily planted setup with leaf litter and dim lighting. Feeding: Omnivore; micro-pellets, fine flake, baby brine shrimp, micro-worm, daphnia. Breeding: Egg scatterer; soft acidic water and fine-leaved plants encourage spawning; fry tiny and need infusoria. Compatibility: Peaceful nano fish; ideal with other small West African species, small rasboras, or nano shrimp.