Indian Glassfish is a fascinating species with a fully transparent body revealing its skeleton and organs. A peaceful schooling fish for community tanks.
Overview
The Indian Glassfish (Parambassis ranga), also known under the older synonym Chanda ranga, is one of the most remarkable freshwater fish available to aquarists. Its defining feature is an almost entirely transparent body through which the skeleton, swim bladder, and internal organs are clearly visible. This stunning effect makes the Glassfish a true showpiece in any aquarium.
The species belongs to the family Chandidae (Asiatic Glassfishes) and is native to fresh and slightly brackish waters across South Asia — India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand. In the wild, Glassfish inhabit still and slow-moving waters: lakes, ponds, flooded rice paddies, and river backwaters. Adults reach a size of 3–5 cm, making them ideal inhabitants for smaller aquariums.
Important warning: pet shops sometimes sell so-called "painted" or "dyed" Glassfish — specimens injected with bright neon pigments (pink, green, blue) under their skin. This practice is cruel and inhumane. Dyed fish are far more susceptible to disease, have weakened immune systems, and live significantly shorter lives. We strongly advise against purchasing such fish and supporting this barbaric trade.
Tank Requirements
A school of Indian Glassfish requires an aquarium of at least 60 liters. Optimal water parameters are: temperature 22–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5, and general hardness (GH) 5–10. The fish do well in both fresh and slightly brackish water (up to 3 g/l of salt).
The tank should be densely planted with live plants such as Java Moss, Cryptocoryne, and Anubias. Plants provide shelter that helps the fish feel more confident, while also serving as an excellent backdrop that highlights their transparency. Moderate or subdued lighting works best — under soft light, Glassfish look particularly striking as light refracts beautifully through their bodies.
A dark substrate is preferable, as transparent fish stand out most vividly against it. Filtration is essential, but the current should be gentle, since the species naturally inhabits calm waters.
Feeding and Diet
Parambassis ranga is by nature a predator that prefers small live foods. In the aquarium, the core diet should consist of live and frozen foods: brine shrimp, daphnia, cyclops, small bloodworms, and tubifex. Fish display their best coloration and most active behavior on this type of diet.
Glassfish are reluctant to accept dry foods (flakes, pellets), and some individuals may refuse them entirely. If you do manage to wean them onto dry food, it should be high-quality and finely sized.
Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. It is important to ensure all food is consumed within a few minutes — thanks to the transparent body, you can literally see whether the fish is full by observing the contents of its stomach.
Care and Maintenance
The Indian Glassfish is a fairly undemanding species when basic care conditions are met. Weekly water changes of 20–25% will help maintain stable water quality. It is important to monitor ammonia and nitrite levels — both should remain at zero.
Filtration should provide effective biological and mechanical cleaning while producing minimal current. A sponge filter or a low-power internal filter is the optimal choice for a Glassfish tank.
Test water parameters regularly. Glassfish are sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry, so all water changes should be performed gradually. With proper care, these fish live 3–5 years.
Compatibility
Parambassis ranga is an exceptionally peaceful and even shy species. It is a schooling fish that must be kept in a group of at least 6–8 individuals. When kept alone or in small numbers, Glassfish constantly hide and experience stress, which negatively affects their health and lifespan.
Ideal tank mates include other small, peaceful fish: Harlequin Rasboras, Neon Tetras, Bronze Corydoras, Dwarf Gouramis, and Cherry Barbs. They also coexist well with small shrimp and snails.
Large or aggressive species are completely unsuitable as tank mates: cichlids, large barbs, and paradise fish. Even moderately active medium-sized fish can intimidate Glassfish, forcing them into permanent hiding.
Breeding
Breeding Indian Glassfish in the aquarium is quite achievable, even for beginners. Spawning can occur in the main tank or in a separate breeding tank of at least 20 liters.
To trigger spawning, raise the water temperature to 26–28°C and reduce hardness. Adding fine-leaved plants (Java Moss, Cabomba) to the breeding tank is beneficial — the female deposits adhesive eggs on their leaves. Spawning typically occurs in the morning, and a single female can lay up to 200 eggs per session.
After spawning, it is best to remove the parents, as they may eat the eggs. The eggs develop over 24–48 hours before tiny larvae emerge. First food for the fry consists of infusoria, followed by baby brine shrimp. Fry grow slowly, but with regular feeding and clean water, they reach juvenile size within 3–4 months.