Basses, Perches, Sunfishes & relatives

Previously known as Chanda ranga, the common name of this species arose because it's translucent skin means that the bone structure and internal organs are clearly visible. For many years it has been artificially injected with luminous dyes on fish farms in Asia and then sold as "Painted" glass fish or "Disco fish". This abhorrent act involves injecting the fish repeatedly with a large needle and most fish do not survive more than a few months afterwards. Whilst painted ...

G. filamentosa has appeared in the ornamental trade but is evidently delicate and therefore recommended only to experienced aquarists. It can be told apart from congeners by the following combination of characters: possession of filamentous dorsal and anal-fin rays in males; body transparent to translucent yellowish-brown colour in life; absence of a highly-extended second anal-fin spine; absence of carmine-red pigmentation in the dorsal, anal an...

A densely-planted tank with floating vegetation and roots, twigs or branches and natural leaf litter would seem appropriate. There's no need to use natural peat, the collection of which is both unsustainable and environmentally-destructive. Filtration should not be strong with an air-powered sponge-type unit ideal, and given it naturally inhab...

A new species that was only described to science in 2003, little is known about the natural behaviour of P. pulcinella. It has started to be imported quite regularly over the last couple of years, although it is still quite expensive. Unfortunately this species has suffered the same fate as some of it's close relatives, and artificiallly dyed specimens have been making their way onto the market. These should be avoided at all costs, as the processes involved are cruel and unecessary, and us...

This occasional import is sometimes offered for sale as P. ranga, the Indian glass fish. Unlike that species however, P. siamensis is an exclusively freshwater fish and should never be kept under brackish conditions. It can be distinguished from ranga by the lack of patterning behind the eye and it's generally more elongate body....

This species is an infrequent import. It is very common in it's native countries, where it is used as a food fish.