Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin (Ladigesia roloffi)
| Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin Ladigesia roloffi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin |
| Name Lat. | Ladigesia roloffi |
| Family | African Tetras |
| Family lat. | Alestidae |
| Order | Characins |
| Order lat. | Characiformes |
| Origin | West Africa |
| Habitat | Tributaries, streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Egg scatterer |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4 cm |
| Temperature | 20-26 °C |
| Hardness | 1-8 °dH |
| Aquarium | 60 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6" |
| Temperature | 68-79 °F |
| Hardness | 18-142 ppm |
| Aquarium | 15 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the orange dwarf tetra is West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Ghana. There they live in vegetation-rich streams and small rivers near the coast.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have a dense border planting, with many hiding places (stones, roots), and offer free swimming space. A dark substrate and some subdued light (floating plant cover) are ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They require mainly animal food, supplemented with vegetable. The food supply consists of live food, such as daphnia, cyclops, tubifex, artemia and black mosquito larvae, which are also eaten without problems in frozen form, plus commercially available, frozen special food mixtures, supplemented with high-quality dry food (flakes, granules) with vegetable components (e.g. spirulina, kelp), which is usually accepted without problems.
A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance. Only as much should be fed as is eaten immediately (in a maximum of 10 minutes).
Behaviour and compatibility
They are petite, peaceful and unproblematic schooling fish that should only be socialized with other small, peaceful fish. At least 5, but preferably more Orange Dwarf Tetras should be kept together
Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The males can be recognized by the lobe-like elongated anal fin.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn in the open water at the bottom. The larvae hatch after about 35 hours and swim freely after 6 days
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (dust food). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
The aquarium must be well covered, as the Orange Red Tetra is a good jumper. The optimal water temperature for Orange Red Tetra is 23 °C.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Anton Lamboj
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2002): Aquarien Atlas, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Zootierhaltung, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF