Jellybean Tetra, also known as Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin, is a unique type of African Tetra fish. It lives in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
This fish is special because it’s the only one in its genus. The name honors Erhard Roloff, a German aquarist who found the first sample of this fish.
“Monospecific” means it’s the sole species in its genus.
Jellybean Tetra Interesting Facts
- Jellybean Tetras are the only species in their genus, making them monospecific.
- Native to Sierra Leone and Liberia, they prefer freshwater with pH levels between 6.0 to 7.0.
- These small fish have unique features like bright red eyes and an incomplete lateral line.
- Males and females can be distinguished by differences in their anal fins.
Jellybean Tetra Habitat
Jellybean Tetra lives in Sierra Leone, Africa, specifically in the Kasewe area of the Gbangbaia basin and the Du River.
This fish prefers freshwater environments with a pH level between 6.0 to 7.0, and a water hardness up to 10 dH.
The ideal temperature for this tropical species ranges from 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C).
| Water Temperature: | 72°F to 79°F (22°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 7.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Jellybean Tetra Physical Characteristics
Size: 1.2 inches (3.1 centimeters)
Jellybean Tetra is a small, elongated fish that grows up to 1.2 inches (3.1 centimeters) in length.
It has an incomplete lateral line and a scaleless area on its back from behind the gill cover to the adipose fin. The top of its skull remains open.
This fish’s dorsal fin starts behind where its pelvic fins are attached, around the middle of its body.
Its anal fin has 16 to 17 soft rays and is short; it shows differences between males and females, like many other Alestidae family members.
The mouth contains several teeth in specific arrangements for the upper and lower jaws. There are 34 or 35 scales along the body’s side and 7 or 9 scales across it.
Jellybean Tetras have unique coloring with bright red eyes, black markings on their dorsal and caudal fins, but no spot near their gills.
When preserved, they develop a black band from their gill cover to their tail fin.
Jellybean Tetra Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Characiformes |
| Family: | Alestidae |
| Genus: | Ladigesia |
| Scientific Name: | Ladigesia roloffi |
| Also Known As: | Jellybean Tetra, Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |