Indian Glassfish (Parambassis ranga) is an intermediate-level freshwater fish that needs at least 20 gallons and 72-80°F. A see-through schooling fish with a faint blue sheen on males. It does best in a group in hard, neutral-to-alkaline water, and many fish take a while to accept dry food. Brightly colored 'painted' glassfish have been artificially dyed; their color fades, so choose natural fish.
Care facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Parambassis ranga |
|---|---|
| Family | Ambassidae |
| Origin | India, Myanmar and Thailand |
| Adult size | 2.5-3 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons |
| Temperature | 72-80°F |
| pH | 7.0-8.0 |
| Temperament | Peaceful, a little shy |
| Social behavior | Schooling, keep 6+ |
| Swim level | Mid |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Diet | Carnivore: small frozen and live foods, micro pellets once trained |
| Typical lifespan | 2-4 years |
Quick tips
- Keep six or more together.
- Offer frozen or live foods first, then train to small pellets.
- Prefers harder water; very soft, acidic water is a poor fit.
San Diego water
Naturally suited to San Diego's hard, alkaline tap water once it is dechlorinated (the city uses chloramine, so use a conditioner that handles it). Learn the numbers in our San Diego tap water guide.
Before you buy
Make sure your tank is cycled (how to cycle a tank), check your numbers with the water testing guide, and use the compatibility guide to check tankmates. These are general ranges; individual fish and local water vary.
Find it at Pet Zone
Pet Zone Tropical Fish is a San Diego aquarium store with two locations. Stock changes daily, so call ahead if you are after a specific species or plant. Shop online at petzonesd.com.
4160 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 987-0309
Open daily, 10am-6pm
Aquascaping, planted tanks
4266 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
(619) 283-1812
Closed Monday; Tue-Fri 10:30am-6pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm
Monster fish, koi