Indian Glassy Fish

Looks how to spot one

Transparent scaled fish

A small, deep-bodied fish so see-through that its backbone and internal organs are visible. Natural colouring is clear to faintly yellow, and males gain darker, blue-edged dorsal and anal fins.23

Personality what they are like

Peaceful but shy; calm, similarly sized tankmates help it settle and show its best colours.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Swims in the middle and lower levels of the tank in a loose shoal.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Water about 20-30 C, pH roughly 6.5-8.0 and medium to hard water. It lives naturally in fresh water and does not need added salt. Buy naturally clear fish rather than artificially dyed ones sold as 'disco fish'.123

Home where they are happiest

A tank of at least 80 x 30 x 30 cm (about 72 litres; FishBase gives 60 cm as a minimum length) with plants and a dark substrate, which helps it feel secure.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Small crustaceans, worms and other invertebrates. Live and frozen foods are taken most readily; some fish also accept dried food.123

Company who they like around

A shoaling fish; keep a group of at least five or six.13

The story where it all began

Francis Hamilton described the species in 1822 from South Asia. It is rarely sold as food but is often found in the aquarium trade.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List (via FishBase)

Least Concern (assessed 2011).1