Tropical Fish and Aquariums doesn't promote selling of Glass Fish injected with fluorescent dyes.  Click on the following graphics for more information about campaigns against this process.  The Glass Fish originated from brackish waters in India and Thailand.  It is also known as the Indian Glassy Fish, Glass Perch, Disco Fish and the Painted Glass Fish.  It is known by the scientific names Parambassis ranga and Parambassis baculis.  It has a translucent clear glass appearance and its internal bone structure is clearly visible. The body shape is similar to that of a Blackskirt Tetra.  Both of these species are unfortunately subjected to dyeing, as discussed below.  The Glass Fish should be kept in groups of 4 or more in large aquariums with heavy vegetation and rocks.  They are active and also require open swimming space.  The Glass Fish can be fed flake foods, but prefers live foods.  It will eat brine shrimp, wingless fruit flies, bloodworms, glass worms and tubifex worms.  The Glass Fish is difficult to breed.  Eggs are laid in nests that it builds or among plants.  Several hundred eggs can be laid and the young are guarded.

The Glass Fish is frequently injected with various fluorescent dyes using a large gauge needle.  In fact, “unpainted” varieties are rarely available.  The injections kill a large portion of the fish that are initially injected.  Others develop infections while the dye is lodged in their cells.  The small percentage of fish that survive will lose most of their coloration within 6 months. The practice of painting these fish has nearly eliminated the availability of the unpainted variety in the pet industry.  For more information, click on either of the graphics above.  For information on other dyed fish, link to the Blackskirt Tetra and the Blood Parrot

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