Physical description: The Glass Fish is laterally compressed and somewhat oval. The forehead is indented and the back is arched. Two separate dorsal fins are present and the anal fin is long. In reflected light, the transparent body has an amber to green iridescence. The fins are transparent. The body coloring depends on the area where the fish is found, some having more body pigment than others. Size/Length: To 3" (8 cm) Similar species: Other Chanda species. There are about 15 species that resemble C. ranga , and are often incorrectly sold as this fish. Some of these species are more transparent than others. Habitat: In fresh and brackish water in Burma, India, and Thailand S: middle Aquarium: A 20" (51 cm) or 10 gallon (38 L) tank, arranged in dark colors, is suggested. Provide hiding places with caves, roots, rocks, and wood. The tank should be well-planted with plants that can tolerate the addition of salt. Place the tank in a way so that it receives morning sunlight. Water chemistry: pH 7-8.5 (7.3), 8-20 dH (14), 68-86°F (20-30°C). A 1-1.5% addition of salt is suggested. Add 7.5-11 TSP of salt per 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L). Social behavior: A peaceful, schooling fish that can be kept in a community tank with other calm fish that can tolerate the addition of salt. The Glass Fish is timid and easily frightened. Males may be territorial during spawning season. Suggested companions: Mollies, Brachygobius, Orange Chromide, smaller Monos FOOD: Live; insect larvae, insects, worms, Brine Shrimp; flakes Sexual differences: Males have more yellow color and an iridescent blue fringe on their dorsal fins during spawning season. The swim bladder in the male is pointed. Breeding techniques: An increase of temperature, the addition of fresh water, and the rising sun all help trigger spawning. The males lays 4-6 eggs per pairing until a total of 150-200 eggs are laid. Courtship occurs in an upside-down manner. Eggs are laid among plants, and float, adhering to leaves, stems, floating plants, and some reaching the surface. The parents ignore the small eggs which are very susceptible to fungus. The eggs hatch in 20-24 hours and the fry hang from vertically from plants for 3-4 days. The fry are difficult to raise, for they do not chase food. Try using small nauplii in high concentrations in a tank with good circulation. Fry will only eat what food passes directly in front of their mouth. The fry remain in a school. Breeding potential: 7. Breeding is not especially difficult, although rearing the young proves to be a challenge. Remarks: The Glass Fish can live in fresh water, but may develop cotton-type fungus which must be removed by hand. This fish is usually seen injected with a fluorescent dye. It does not harm the fish except make them more susceptible to cotton fungus. This dye metabolizes out in 4-20 months, depending on the concentration, type of dye, and the fish. Injected specimen are often called Painted Glass or the Painted Fish. Difficulty of care: 5. The Glassfish is an interesting, but short-lived fish which does not usually live for more than 2-3 years. The addition of salt lessens the chance of this species to develop fungus. The Glassfish requires a diet including live foods. Recent articles about fish Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees (2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health. Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees (10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine. Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater (12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina. |
what's new | tropical fish home | rainforests | news | search | about | contact |
Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2009 The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me. |
