Order Characiformes ( Characiformes )
Family Alestidae or African tetras ( Alestidae )
Genus Ladigesia — Ladigesia.
— Sierra Leone dwarf characin — Ladigesia roloffi [Gery, 1968]. (Eng. Sierra Leone Dwarf Characin, Jelly Bean Tetra). Sierra Leone, Liberia. 3-4 cm. Body is elongated and laterally compressed. Olive-yellow fish with a longitudinal golden line along the body and reddish fins (except pectoral and pelvic fins). The body is translucent with green and blue tones with iridescent sheen on the golden flanks. Has a very strong golden color of the head and belly. A narrow greenish-blue sparkling stripe runs from the middle of the body to the base of the caudal fin.
Part of the paired fins and the area above the eye are glossy bright red. The dorsal fin in the front part is bright reddish-orange, with a dark tip. The caudal fin has similarly bright longitudinal stripes on each lobe. The anal fin also has the same color, but slightly less intense. Sexual differences are difficult to spot, adult males are slimmer and have a more elongated anal fin. Males show their best colors and interesting behavior when competing with each other for the attention of females. Subspecies — L. roloffi signifer – differs in more intense coloration.
These active schooling fish are peaceful and therefore quite suitable for community tanks with small peaceful fish of other species with similar habitat requirements. They will show their best colors in an aquarium with low lighting and a dark background and substrate. Floating plants should be used to create shady areas in the tank. Good swimmers, they stay mainly in the middle, sometimes upper layers of water.
You should not plant the entire aquarium with plants, as the fish need space for swimming. Filtration through peat and the use of almond, oak, beech, and other leaves is desirable. This is a calm and shy fish, it will not compete for food with larger and active species. Schooling, they should be kept in groups of at least 10 individuals. Can be kept in an aquarium with other fish of a similar character and size. The fish is a jumper, so a cover glass is necessary.
Must never be introduced into newly established tanks with biologically immature balance, clean nitrate-free water is required, very sensitive to water quality. Water movement should not be strong, because this species comes from slow-flowing waters. Water is soft and slightly acidic. The main condition for their maintenance is high water quality: it must be aged and nitrate-free. Susceptible to sudden changes in water chemistry, therefore regularly perform partial water changes of up to 10% of the aquarium volume.
Active aeration and filtration must be provided. Soft, dark substrate is probably the best option, you can add a few roots, driftwood and branches arranged to form shady spots. Omnivorous, accepting dry, live and frozen foods. Food should be given in small portions several times a day. Average lifespan up to 5 years. pH 6.0-7.0; dH 6-12°; T 22-26°C.
Genus Bryconaethiops — Bryconaethiops.
— Boulenger’s featherfin tetra — Bryconaethiops boulengeri [Pellegrin, 1900]. (Eng. Boulenger’s Featherfin Tetra). Tanzania, Congo. 22 cm. Adult specimens differ greatly in appearance from juveniles. Juveniles are silvery, adult fish have an oval spot in the center and a stripe on the caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin of males has elongated filaments. Fins with dark patterns. Females are less brightly colored, dorsal fin is shorter.
Peaceful fish, preferring solitude or small groups, occupies the middle and upper layers of water, there should be plenty of swimming space as they are very active. They can glide up to several meters through the air, so the aquarium should be well covered. Large stones, driftwood, and lighting sufficient for algae growth should be placed in the aquarium.
Since the fish is timid, care must be taken when working with the aquarium, especially during cleaning, the opposite side should be covered. The fish prefers clean, oxygen-rich water, current, and therefore a powerful filter is needed. Omnivorous, feeding on plant matter and detritus, live, frozen and dry foods. Small fish will be eaten. dH up to 18°; pH 6.0-7.5; T 24-28°C.
— Filament tetra — Bryconaethiops microstoma [Gunter, 1873]. Synonym: Bryconaethiops, Brachyalestes mocquardianus, yseuxi. (Eng. Filament Tetra). Inhabits Cameroon, Gabon, lower Congo, in fast-flowing rivers and streams. 15 cm. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed.
Head and body of the adult male are silvery with a yellow or pink tint on the sides. Upper surface of the head is olive-green. The dorsal fin of males is transparent with a red tip, has elongated filaments reaching the caudal fin. Pelvic, anal and caudal fins are reddish to varying degrees, sometimes with white edges. Females are less brightly colored, dorsal fin is shorter.
Aquarium from 200 liters, bottom of coarse sand and pebbles, stones and roots to create shelters. A very good jumper, so the aquarium must be constantly covered. Peaceful fish, preferring solitude or small groups, occupies the middle and upper layers of water. Lighting is bright, which promotes the growth of algae, which serve as additional food. The fish prefers clean, oxygen-rich water, current, and therefore a powerful filter is needed. Feeds on plant matter and detritus, omnivorous in the aquarium, eats flakes, small live and frozen foods, algae. Does not touch live plants. dH up to 18°; pH 6.0-7.5; T 24-28°C.
Genus Lepidarchus, Genus Micralestes.
Genus Arnoldichthys, Genus Bathyaethiops. 
Latest updates and additions made on October 9, 2012.
