Jelly Bean Tetra - Ladigesia roloffi - Federation of British Aquatic ...

Jelly Bean
Tetra -
Ladigesia
roloffi
This fabulous little Characin being only 30mm (1.2”) SL originating from the
Ivory Coast / Sierra Leone in Africa makes the ideal fish for those having
small all-glass aquaria that seem to be so popular with aquarists that prefer
a feature item in their home as opposed to a standard aquarium. A fish that
likes soft water that has a tanned look created by some peat within the filter
system.
In these small aquaria, plant such species as Cryptocoryne nevillii or
Sagittaria subulata often called Dwarf Sagittaria. If none of these are
available you can use a floating plant like Riccia fluitans that would give
shade that this little fish likes.
Equally, when breeding this species only a small aquaria is required, say
30cm x 10cm furnished with a dark colour gravel, even black, add plenty of
plant plus some wool mops for your fish to lay their eggs in. You can even
cover the gravel with some dark green mesh so the eggs fall through out of
the way of the adult fish who would love to gobble them up! The water
should be soft (try filtered rain water at a temperature of 80 o -84 o F). A small
air-powered sponge filter bubbling away will be great to maintain a small
turnover of water.
You need to feed the adults well ahead of spawning on crushed flake, Brine
Shrimp, sifted Daphnia and Whiteworm. Their size makes them hard to sex
although females do get plumper prior to spawning, so I would recommend
you place at least half a dozen adults in the breeding tank to be sure, plus
they also like to spawn in groups. During spawning you can now notice the
males by their higher density of colour. The eggs will hatch within 24/36
hours and the fry will be free swimming in 3/4 days.
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