This video was taken in freshwater aquarium, the Sea World, San Diego, California, USA
Introduction: The fish is so named because of its translucent flesh whereas all the organs of the fish are completely visible like their bones etc. So due to this nature they gain some name in the aquarium world. There are several species of glass fish. Out of which, two species are shown in the present video. The first which is thinner in shape is just named glass fish (Parachela oxygastroides), while deeper-bodied fish are Indian glass fish (Parambassis ranga). There is a great similarity among various glass fish. Glass fish is not important as a food fish for humans, but is very common in the aquarium trade.
Distribution: Glass fish are freshwater, pelagic and tropical fish. They live in rivers and lowland wetlands including peat canals. These fish are distributed mainly in Asia, while through aquarium trade, it accessed further geographical zones.
Feeding habits: In nature, glass fish feeds on zooplankton, insects and small fish. It is in turn prey for larger fish, including snakeheads.
Reproduction: Glass fish are egg layers whereas female lays about 200 eggs which are fertilized by male. In nature, eggs are found among plants. Fertilized eggs will hatch in about 24 hours and will turn free swimming in another 3-4 days. No parental care is expressed during incubation or hatching.
Social behavior: They are peaceful and schooling fish and so individuals –if not kept in groups- they become shy and nervous.
Painted glass fish: Unfortunately, this action represents a fraud action when fish keepers are not aware about the painting process before watching the fading of color over time (depending on the type and dose of the dye, it often start metabolizing in 4 months. The life span for normal unpainted specimens may go to three to four years while this is often shorter for artificially colored fish depending on the side effects of painting if occurs. Painted glassfish: in order to attract hobbyists, glass fish is often painted. This is done through injecting with a fluorescent dye into the fish’s transparent tissue.
