Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Indian Glassfish
Parambassis ranga
Also called Indian glassy fish, Indian glassy perch, Glass perch, Indian X-ray fish, Siamese glassfish
From South and Southeast Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia, east to Vietnam12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Small, see-through perch-like fish
A small fish whose body is so clear that its skeleton and organs show through. It grows to about 8 to 9.5 cm. Males show a dark edge on the dorsal fin, and the body often has a faint golden or amber sheen.231
Personality what they are like
Gentle and rather shy. It feels most secure in a calm tank with peaceful company and good cover.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Swims mostly in the middle and lower levels of the tank and likes hovering among plants.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Temperature about 20 to 30 °C, pH roughly 6.5 to 8.0 and hardness around 8 to 20 dGH. Salt is not required for fish kept in fresh water; match the water they were sold in. Choose natural, undyed fish.312
Home where they are happiest
Calm, slow-moving or still water, including reservoirs. A planted aquarium of at least 60 to 80 cm length, around 70 litres or more, suits a small group.13
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A micro-predator of small invertebrates, worms and crustaceans. In aquariums it prefers small live and frozen foods, and some fish are slow to accept flakes.123
Company who they like around
A shoaling fish to keep in a group of at least five or six; pairs or single fish do poorly. Good companions are other peaceful fish such as small barbs, livebearers or rainbowfish.13
The story where it all began
Hamilton described the species in 1822, and it was long known as Chanda ranga. Its see-through body has made it a fixture of the aquarium trade for many decades.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2011)1
- Francis Hamilton
- Described in 18221
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Indian Glassfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkBrackish fish need a little marine salt, and some need more as they growevery week
- Water changeAbout 25% of the water, mixed to the same salinityevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Chanda ranga (Parambassis ranga), Indian glassy fish fishbase.seused for range, size, water parameters, habitat, diet, breeding, group size, IUCN, author
- Wikipedia: Indian glassy fish en.wikipedia.orgused for names, description, lifespan, habitat, diet, swimming level
- Seriously Fish: Parambassis ranga seriouslyfish.comused for tank size, water parameters, salinity myth, temperament, group size, diet
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.