Indian Glassfish

[bitsnbobs]

Hi can anyone tell me if Indian Glassfish DO need brackish water? some sites say yes and some say no!!
If they do need brackish water what percentage of salt would I need to add per gallon?
Also I believe they grow to a max of 7.5 cm (3 inches)?
I already know not to buy painted varieties....they will be in a tank on their own of 57 litres - so could I safely add 6 to this tank?

Thanks...Julie

 

[nmonks]

Parambassis ranga and Parambassis siamensis do not need brackish water; they do perfectly well even in quite soft water. If kept in brackish water, keep the salinity low, 1.003-1.005 at 25 C would be fine.

Maximum length in aquaria is about 6 cm, possibly slightly more, but I've not seen many bigger than 5-6 cm. They are predatory though so choose tankmates with care. They are quite feisty, so keeping six is a good idea. For a group that large, I'd recommend 150 litres or more. In smaller tanks they're unlikely to do well or behave nicely. They're quite active, sizeable fish. In smaller tanks, you might consider Gymnochanda filamentosa, a species eminently suitable for 50-60 litre single-species tanks.

Cheers, Neale

 

[bitsnbobs]

hi Neale

Many many thanks for your reply...I have telephoned every Aquatics store in a 30 mile radius and cannot get the Filament Glassfish anywhere...so will have to keep trying!! They are pretty rare everyone said.

Will think again on the Indian Glassfish.....regards Julie

 

[nmonks]

Yes, quite rare, but you can get them. They may be seasonal. Wildwoods gets them periodically, and I've seen them in some of the better Maidenhead Aquatics get them too. Checking on Tropical Fish Finder, I see that Wholesale Tropicals and Maidenhead Aquatics at Truro have them. Wholesale Tropicals certainly does mail order.

Do note they prefer soft water. Hard water probably won't harm them, but it isn't ideal.

Cheers, Neale

I have telephoned every Aquatics store in a 30 mile radius and cannot get the Filament Glassfish anywhere...so will have to keep trying!! They are pretty rare everyone said.

 

[bitsnbobs]

Hi Neale

Just an update on the filament glassfish....I have tried everywhere to find these, they have them in Truro but will not post out!! really annoying knowing they are there and I can't get them...its about 300 miles away.

So I have put an order in at Maidenhead Aquatics in Peterborough (about 30 miles away) together with some other species I am looking for...I won't know for 2 weeks whether they can get the glassfish or not...fingers crossed!!
will let you know..they look really lovely and I am determined to get them now...even if I have to wait for months

Thanks Julie

 

[nmonks]

Both the MAs in Peterborough are very good, and the one at Crowland in particular specialises in oddball fish, so should be a good place to order these fish from.

They are nice fish, but soft water fish, so do spend a bit of time researching their specific needs.

Cheers, Neale

 

[bitsnbobs]

Both the MAs in Peterborough are very good, and the one at Crowland in particular specialises in oddball fish, so should be a good place to order these fish from.

They are nice fish, but soft water fish, so do spend a bit of time researching their specific needs.

Cheers, Neale

 

[bitsnbobs]

Hi Neale, yes its Crowland I've ordered the glassfish from, apparently they use the same stockists as Truro, so I really hope they can get some...I've also ordered some Panda Corys and Platinum Tetras which I also can't get in this town!!

I have read up on the glassfish and I know there requirements, they will be in a tank on their own anyway, along with 4 of Juli Corys...thanks again will let you know the outcome!! and appreciate you putting me onto this species I really like them....cheers Julie

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Filament Glassfish are lovely little fish, I do miss my group that I passed on to "elisew" a few months ago, because of stocking concerns (any tankmates need to be very peaceful regarding both territory and feeding). I found I saw my specimens more when I heavily furnished the tank with Java Fern and Windelov Fern "bushes," as the reassurance of lots of hiding places nearby gave them so much more confidence.

[video]http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFcUA-a8J8[/video]

If you do manage to get a group, please post some pics and/or video footage, these are highly desireable glassfish!

 

[bitsnbobs]

Filament Glassfish are lovely little fish, I do miss my group that I passed on to "elisew" a few months ago, because of stocking concerns (any tankmates need to be very peaceful regarding both territory and feeding). I found I saw my specimens more when I heavily furnished the tank with Java Fern and Windelov Fern "bushes," as the reassurance of lots of hiding places nearby gave them so much more confidence.

[video]http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFcUA-a8J8[/video]

If you do manage to get a group, please post some pics and/or video footage, these are highly desireable glassfish!

Thanks so much for the video, a pleasure to watch... they really are lovely little fish (wish I could have had yours!!)...and I do hope I can get some and soon. They will be in a tank alone, I am hoping to put them in my 19 gallon tank along with a group of 4 Juli Corys as I told Neale. I don't do 'plastic plants' and my tanks are well stocked with live plants, but I will get some Java Fern and Windelov Fern for them. I am a little concerned as the water here is quite hard and I believe Filament Glassfish need soft water? my tanks are mature and all the fish are doing well, but will I need to 'soften' the water for this species? if so how?! I have never done it before.
If I am lucky enough to get these fish I will certainly put some photos on the forum..thanks again, Julie

 

[nmonks]

Fishbase reports that they come from brackish water as well as freshwater, and while Aqualog reports them as being blackwater fish, older aquarium books often recommended they be kept in tanks with a bit of salt added. My assumption would be that like the other freshwater glassfish, they're very adaptable provided they're given the right food and adequate water quality. When I kept other glassfish species, I kept them in a 50/50 mix of hard tap water and rainwater; if that's an option, it's a cheap and easy way to soften your water substantially. Adding some bogwood to the tank so the water is tinted brown does seem to help with glassfish, providing the dark conditions I suppose these fish are adapted too.

Cheers, Neale

 

[bitsnbobs]

Hi again Neale

I hope I can get these fish after all this...no doubt I will at some stage.

Unfortunatley rainwater is not an option, unless I go to the expense of buying a water butt - I can put buckets and things outside when its throwing down but I doubt they would collect much rain...though a bit is better than none I guess.

I have some driftwood, although the tannings all gone but will put it in anyway, and maybe add a tiny bit of salt although I don't know how the cory's will like it?

I'm collecting another tank on Tuesday, 3 ft long this time so will leave my 19 gallon one free for the Filament glassfish, will leave some fish in there though to keep it cycled.
I'll be 'rackin and stackin' soon
Thanks again, Julie

 

[nmonks]

Unfortunatley rainwater is not an option, unless I go to the expense of buying a water butt

Avoiding expense is precisely why collecting rainwater is worth doing! A water butt shouldn't cost more than £30 for one that stores ~250 litres. Installation takes almost not time at all: find a suitable gutter, cut it in half, and direct the remaining half into the water butt. Here's some thoughts on this topic:

http/homepage.mac.com/nmonks/Projects/rainwater.html

- I can put buckets and things outside when its throwing down but I doubt they would collect much rain...though a bit is better than none I guess.

Hmm… may actually be worse than not doing anything. Remember, if you keep changing the water chemistry, you're stressing the fish. If you're stuck with hard water, you may as well let your fish get used to it -- and they probably will.

Cheers, Neale

 

[bitsnbobs]

Hi again Neale

I actually had a water butt but the tap broke so I took it down the tip! however, I still have the guttering and downpipe on the shed, so I would just need to get the butt..they are only £20 ish on ebay, I wouldn't need a huge one, so I will think about it.

Thanks again for your advice and I will let you know if and when my fish are ready to be collected!!

Julie