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Jelly bean tetra (Ladigesia roloffi) — Alestidae

Jelly bean tetra

Ladigesia roloffi
Family: Alestidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Jelly bean tetra (Ladigesia roloffi) is a freshwater fish of the family Alestidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa; forested streams and small rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The jellybean tetra is a small African tetra (Alestidae) from West Africa; it is the only species of its genus. The species is very small, slender and translucent with handsome colour accents on the fins. It lives in schools in the upper water layers of forested streams and small rivers. At the surface it snaps small insects and small zooplankton. Owing to a very limited range it is critically endangered. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jelly bean tetra?

The Jelly bean tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. The only species of its genus; a very small, translucent little schooling tetra, critically endangered.

Where does the Jelly bean tetra live?

The Jelly bean tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. West Africa; forested streams and small rivers.

How big does the Jelly bean tetra get?

The Jelly bean tetra grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Jelly bean tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Jelly bean tetra is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Jelly bean tetra edible?

The Jelly bean tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Jelly bean tetra verified
Scientific name
Ladigesia roloffi
Family
Alestidae
Other names
Sierra leone dwarf characin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.1 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
West Africa; forested streams and small rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small insects and small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
The only species of its genus; a very small, translucent little schooling tetra, critically endangered. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Alestidae

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